Struggling to choose a nursing home or long-term care facility for your loved one? Get our best tips on what to look for when touring a nursing home and questions to ask along the way.
At Navigate Wellness, our goal is to keep our clients living independently in their homes for as long as possible. But sometimes, it’s just not safe anymore and they need more care than concierge nursing and other services can provide. In those cases, a long-term care facility is the right next step.
The process of choosing a nursing home or similar facility can be completely overwhelming. Identifying the difference between a good nursing home vs bad nursing home can be difficult, especially if you’ve never explored long-term care options before.
Today, we’re sharing our best tips on how to choose a nursing home, from the questions you should ask to what to look for when touring a long-term care facility.
10 Things to Consider When Choosing a Nursing Home
While it’s a good idea to tour a few nursing homes before choosing one, there are some key things to consider before scheduling tours. After all, visiting a nursing home takes time. There’s no point in scheduling a tour if the facility doesn’t align with the care or amenities you and your loved one need.
Before you visit a nursing home, consider a few key things:
Location and Accessibility
Choose a facility close to family and friends, making visits easier and maintaining a connection to the community. Proximity to medical facilities is also a crucial factor.
Quality of Care
Research the nursing home’s ratings and certifications. High-quality care ensures the physical, emotional, and medical needs of residents are consistently met.
Staff-to-Resident Ratio
A lower staff-to-resident ratio often leads to better, personalized care. Ask about the availability of nursing staff and caregivers at all times.
Cleanliness and Maintenance
Visit the facility to assess cleanliness and upkeep. A well-maintained environment is essential for residents’ health and well-being.
Activities and Social Programs
Check the variety of activities offered to keep residents engaged and socially active. Programs that cater to hobbies and interests can improve quality of life.
Meals and Nutrition
Evaluate the menu for nutritional balance and accommodations for dietary needs. Sharing meals with residents during your visit can provide insights.
Specialized Services
Determine if the nursing home offers specialized care, such as dementia or rehabilitative services, to meet specific medical conditions or recovery needs.
Safety Measures
Inspect the facility for safety features, such as handrails, emergency call systems, and fire safety protocols. Ensuring safety minimizes risks for residents.
Culture and Atmosphere
Pay attention to the overall atmosphere. A warm, welcoming, and respectful environment often reflects the care philosophy of the facility.
Cost and Financial Options
Understand the costs, payment methods, and coverage through insurance or government programs. Transparent pricing avoids unexpected financial strain.
5 Things to Look For When Touring a Nursing Home
Of course, there is only so much you can tell about a nursing home by exploring their website or even talking on the phone with their staff. Touring a care facility is so important. This is where you can really get a feel for a place and what your loved one’s life might be like while living there.
At Navigate Wellness, we always tell clients to tour with your five senses:
1. Smell
Bad smell is bad care. Note how the facility smells when you first walk in and when you enter different spaces within the building. Can you smell yummy food? Are there inviting smells? Are there harsh perfumes?
2. Sight
How do the staff appear? Are they smiling? Friendly? How are other residents? Do they look happy? Are they socializing? Are doors open or closed? Does the building seem to be well-maintained? These things will tell you a lot about the community.
3. Taste
Will they let you try a meal? While the quality of the food may not seem like a top priority, it’s an important part of your loved one’s overall wellness and day-to-day life.
4. Touch
Nothing should be sticky. Use the railings on any stairs, test out support bars in bathrooms and touch any other common surfaces your loved one would touch regularly while living there.
5. Listen
Just listen to the way people are talking and interacting. Is there pleasant music playing? Is there “life” in the building or is it still and drab?
Especially pay attention to staff-to-resident interactions. Most people who will tour you are marketing people — so pay attention to the people who aren’t trained in sales, such as nurses, nursing assistants, food service workers and others. These are the employees who will spend time with your loved one day to day.
By touring with all five senses, you’ll get a “vibe” and will know if it’s the same vibe that would be good for your parent or loved one.
20 Questions to Ask When Touring a Nursing Home
In addition to what you’ll observe on a tour, it’s always good to have a list of questions ready to ask when touring a nursing home.
If you’re working with a care navigator or concierge nurse already, like those at Navigate Wellness, you can ask them for advice on any questions that might be helpful to your loved one’s specific situation and health needs.
Otherwise, here are our recommendations for the top questions to ask when touring a nursing home:
- Is the facility certified and accredited?
- What levels of care do you offer (e.g., assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing)?
- What is the ratio of staff to residents during all shifts?
- Is the staff properly trained, and are they certified?
- What is the staff turnover rate?
- Are there activities and social programs offered for residents?
- What is the food quality like, and are dietary preferences accommodated?
- Are medical professionals available onsite or on-call?
- Do they coordinate doctor appointments for residents?
- What rehabilitation services and equipment are available?
- What are the facility’s safety and security measures?
- Are there outdoor areas or spaces for residents to enjoy?
- What is the facility’s policy on family visits and involvement?
- Does the facility accept long-term care insurance, Medicaid, or Medicare?
- What is included in the cost, and are there additional fees?
- Can the facility provide references or testimonials from families of current residents?
- What happens if a resident’s condition worsens and they need more care?
- How does the facility handle medical emergencies?
- Are there restrictions on personal items residents can bring?
- What is the procedure for resolving concerns or complaints?
Get Help Finding a Nursing Home
Need additional support choosing and touring a nursing home in Columbia, MO? Contact Navigate Wellness today to learn more about our care navigation services. We can give you personalized care options and empower you to make the best decisions for your loved one.
Ready to get started? Book a free clarity call to determine if care navigation is right for you.
