Your Guide to Choosing a Skilled Nursing Facility

Nursing homes are a profitable industry because of the continuing demand for a specialized facility where people can get the care they need. There are many different reasons why people would seek a skilled nursing facility.

It could be a temporary place for them to recuperate or a more permanent home as they age. Either way, it is essential to choose the best one to serve your loved one’s interests. Here is a quick guide to help you out:

List Your Requirements

One of the very first things that you should do before you even look for a skilled nursing facility is to identify and list out all of the requirements that apply.

This way, you have an idea about what you should tick off your checklist as you filter out the nursing homes in your area. Ideally, it would help if you looked for qualities that address your needs.

If you plan to send an elderly loved one there, then you should list senior skilled nursing care as a top priority.

Ask for Recommendations

When you are looking for your ideal nursing home facility, you should go for a good track record. Checking out reviews is a good start, but you should also get input from people with direct experience with the facility.

Family and friends can help you since they are the ones who can give you a more realistic overview of how a facility can serve your needs. Asking your healthcare provider about their recommended nursing facilities is also a great start.

Compare Different Nursing Facilities

After getting recommendations, do not fixate on one facility. Feel free to explore others and compare them accordingly while keeping in mind your requirements.

Always remember to include your criteria when looking for a nursing facility. If you now have a list of nursing homes, do a table of comparison to see which of them would tick off boxes.

Visit The Facilities

While online research will give you a bird’s eye view of a facility, it is always best to visit and see the entire facility with your own two eyes.

By visiting, you can find out how their staff treats residents. You’ll also be able to develop a general idea of how satisfied residents are with the service they receive.

Make sure that the facility has handicap access, certification from Medicare and Medicaid, and a generally warm atmosphere. Be sure also to take note of the home’s cleanliness and atmosphere.

Interview Nursing Home Managers

While you are making your visit, take the time to sit down with the manager, and ask pertinent questions to help you in your decision-making process.

Ask about the different services they offer, the education and training of their nursing staff, and how they deal with potential health issues, particularly about outbreaks. It would be best to ask about how they handled the COVID-19 virus to ease your worries.

It would also be best to ask how long most of their staff have served the facility. If you notice that most of them are new hires, it should raise a red flag about the facility’s management.

Do a Second Visit

This time, make sure that your visit is unannounced. This way, you have an idea of what the facility is like when not expecting guests. This will give you an idea of whether the facility is only showing a diplomatic front when guests are around.

Scrutinize The Contract

Once you have chosen a skilled nursing home facility, do further diligence by reading the contract thoroughly. This should give you an idea of what you can expect during your stay.

Make sure that you read the fine print. Don’t rely only on the verbal assurance given to you by the nursing manager. Living in a nursing home facility can be scary, but you can alleviate your fears once you choose the right one.