Researching Nursing Homes and Skilled Nursing Facilities

<img src="https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/dcr-apis/wp_contents/uploads/DCR-ADMIN/AdobeStock_274060531.webp" alt="undefined" style="height: ;width: "/> Americans are living longer, and eventually, living alone may not be an option. When assisted living centers don’t offer enough care and hospitalization isn’t necessary, nursing homes (also known as skilled nursing facilities or convalescent homes) may be the best and safest choice. Nursing homes offer a high level of care, including on-premises medical care, around-the-clock skilled nursing services, therapy, onsite medical procedures, and assistance with feeding, bathing, and getting into and out of bed. But there are many nursing homes to decide among, and each provides a unique set of services and care options. Add to that a natural wariness for change and the desire to keep our loved ones safe, and it can be hard to make the move to a nursing home. Choosing a skilled nursing facility doesn’t have to be a scary or stressful decision. Careful research, thorough interviews, and understanding your rights and responsibilities and those of the nursing homes near you can make the decision a positive experience. How Do I Know if I or a Loved One Need Nursing Home Care? Not all elderly or ill individuals need to move into a nursing home. Even those with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or other debilitating or progressive diseases need skilled nursing services. To make a smart decision about whether you or your loved one should consider a skilled nursing home, think about these things: <ul> <li>Can your needs or those of your loved one be handled safely in other facilities or by home care professionals?</li> <li>Are family members or other caregivers overwhelmed by the requirements of caring for a loved one who is aging, ill or recovering from an illness?</li> <li>Has your doctor or medical professional recommended convalescent care or a nursing home?</li> <li>Do you or your loved ones need temporary skilled nursing care or permanent care at a residential nursing home?</li> <li>Have you or your loved one undergone assessment to help illuminate your needs and what type of facility will be best for your physical and mental health?</li> </ul> What to Look for in a Good Nursing Home There are some obvious signs you want to look for in order to identify the best skilled nursing homes, such as a clean and welcoming environment, a good staff to patient ratio, a range of activities to keep residents’ minds and bodies active, caring staff to monitor patient health and well-being, and more. Look for the following: <ul> <li>A clean facility</li> <li>A home-like feel balanced with thorough medical care</li> <li>Happy, engaged residents</li> <li>Staff that are friendly, willing to answer your questions and eager to show you the facility</li> <li>Good foods that are nutritious, appetizing and palatable</li> <li>A range of fun activities that improve residents’ quality of life and encourage physical, mental and social well-being</li> </ul> Finding the Best Nursing Home For Your Needs You may also want to consider referrals from your doctor or specialist. If you have friends or family members who have experience with local nursing homes, talk with them about the facility they’ve chosen and whether it could meet your needs. Then, consider your particular needs or those of your loved one. If you need a facility that specializes in caring for Alzheimer’s patients or Parkinson’s patients, look into specialty facilities that offer 24-hour nursing care. The last thing you will want to consider is how close a particular facility is to your home or to your loved one’s current location. Proximity to family and friends can make it easier for you or your loved one to receive visitors, and that can make a nursing home feel like a real home.  <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/" target="_self">Use Diamond Certified Resource to find top rated companies.</a> Related Articles <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/Guide/Nursing-Homes/" target="_self">Your Comprehensive Guide to Nursing Homes</a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/find-expert-advice/" target="_self">Get Expert Advice From Owners of Top Rated Local Companies</a> <a href="https://www.diamondcertified.org/membership/" target="_self">Become a Diamond Certified Preferred Member (Always Free)</a>