How to Choose a Nursing Home

Serving Phoenix, Scottsdale and All of Arizona

Choosing a nursing home for your aging loved one is one of the most important, and difficult, things you will do. You expect nursing home staff to give your family member the care you can’t 24 hours a day. With all of the nursing homes available in the Phoenix, Arizona area, how do you know you are choosing one that is safe and cares for their residents?

Here are some pointers for choosing a decent nursing home in your area:

Visit several times, at different times

You should investigate the nursing homes near you for the sake of convenience before seeking those further away.

Nursing homes will give a guided tour, but they will only show you what they want you to see. Check the facility in your own way on your own time. In this way you can see the nursing home and staff when they may not be at their best. Weekends and evenings are the most likely time to see the facility short staffed or tired to see how they treat those they are to care for. While visiting:

• Look at the bathroom to investigate cleanliness and see if there is hot water.
• Pay attention to odors. The smell of urine or feces may indicate the residents are not being changed or bathed regularly, which can lead to infections.
• Notice the grooming, oral care, and nail care of residents. Are they presentable? Do the residents look happy, or depressed and confused?
• Look to see if restraints are being used to keep residents sitting upright or to restrict their movement.
• Ask loved ones of residents what they think about levels of care or problems they feel the nursing home has.

Investigate meal times

Malnutrition is a common problem in nursing homes, and elderly people are susceptible to fading quickly if they are malnourished.

A good nursing home will allow you to visit the kitchen and may allow you to eat with the residents. Check to see that the kitchen is clean and that the food smells good. Find out if there is a list of food allergies residents may have, a dietician on staff, and drinking water readily available.

Other things to check

The nursing home should have a state survey available for you to review. See what it says. Find out what the staffing levels are, how many residents there are, and how many are in wheelchairs or bedridden.

Download our Nursing Home CheckList

Unfortunately, assuming the nursing home is giving their residents top-notch care 24 hours a day, your level of involvement will determine the level of care. Keep communication open with doctors, nurses, administrators and other staff and let them know you want them to communicate with you. You can also let them know you will be observing how they care for your family member.

If you are in the Phoenix, Arizona area, and have questions about choosing a nursing home, please contact the experienced nursing home abuse attorneys at Cullan & Cullan, M.D., J.D. today.