Four Things to Consider When Choosing a Nursing Home

| May 13, 2020 | Firm News

If you or someone you know is considering a nursing home or an assisted living facility for a loved one, you came to the right place.

As the experts on this topic, our attorneys at Mendes, Reins and Wilander have extensive experience in handling the delicate issues involved in assisted living neglect and abuse litigation and know what to look for when going through the selection process.

In this blog post, we’re sharing some helpful tips to keep in mind when it comes to choosing the right nursing home or assisted living facility in Tampa.

Take an Official Tour

To get a good feel of the nursing home or assisted living facility, you need to take an official tour and schedule a meeting with the administrator, director of nursing, a floor nurse, and an aide.

This will help you get a holistic understanding of how they operate and treat their residents.

If possible, talk to the floor staff privately and be sure to ask the tough questions. Here are some ideas:

  • What are your staffing numbers?
  • How do you schedule therapy sessions?
  • Am I allowed to visit during non-visiting hours?
  • Can a family member spend the night?
  • Who is the contact person I would reach out to with my concerns?

To get a better look at the interworking of the facility, return at an unscheduled time, we suggest in the evening when staffing is lower than during the day shift.

Pay Attention to Warning Signs

While taking your tour, be aware of odors as they’re a good indicator of whether or not the staff is attentive.

Others warning signs to look for include:

  • Unattended residents in the halls and common areas
  • Ignored alarms
  • Unanswered calls or cries for help
  • Meal trays by bedsides with no help in sight

Listen Closely

Just as looking for potential red flags is important, you also have to listen for them too.

Does the facility feel chaotic? Are residents yelling? Do they seem agitated? Are pages being ignored?

Typically, higher-functioning, well-staffed facilities have a calm environment.

Additionally, listen to see how staff speak to residents directly and to each other. Are they respectful in their interactions? Are they exuding patience? Is the staff speaking poorly of a resident?

Trust Your Gut

If something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut.

Not all nursing homes and assisted living facilities are created equal. If something feels off, don’t ignore it. Listen to your intuition. It’s raising a red flag for a reason.

There’s no denying that choosing the right nursing home is challenging.

After all, it’s a big decision to make as there are a lot of moving pieces to consider to make sure your loved one is in the right hands.

But, if you’re going through the process now or about to embark on this journey, keep these four tips in mind and if you feel your loved one is a victim of neglect or abuse, contact us today.