Choosing the Right Nursing Home

Choosing a nursing home for your relative or loved one can be a stressful and emotional experience. The decision, in itself, is often a difficult one to make, and you want to ensure your loved one is comfortable and receiving the best care possible. Here are some tips for choosing a good nursing home in the Atlanta area, but which also apply anywhere.

The first step to finding a nursing home that meets your needs is to learn about nursing homes in the area in which you desire to have your loved one live. If you have family, friends, or neighbors with personal experience with local nursing homes, they may be able to recommend a good facility to you—or advise you on any to avoid. Also, ask a doctor you trust if he or she provides care at any local nursing homes. Then you’ll already know at least one doctor who is providing care and treatment at the facility.

Medicaid’s Nursing Home Compare allows you to find and compare information about every Medicare and Medicaid certified nursing home in the United States. Information on Nursing Home Compare isn’t an endorsement or advertisement for any nursing home and should be considered carefully. You can use it along with information you gather in person and through other resources, such as your Long-Term Care Ombudsman and public surveys.

It’s important to visit the nursing homes, sometimes multiple times, you are interested in before making a final decision as to which one best fits your needs. A visit gives you the opportunity to see the facility, the residents, and the staff. You can also ask the staff questions and question residents and their family members or friends who are visiting the facility.

It’s a good idea to visit each nursing home at least twice. For one visit, call and make an appointment to meet with someone on staff. Another time, visit the nursing home without an appointment to see if the facility or your experience is significantly different than when you had an appointment. If a nursing home doesn’t allow drop-ins, this is a factor to consider in making your decision about which facility to choose. It’s also prudent to visit the facility during different days and times of the day. For example, you want to see what the noise level is like early in the morning and later in the evening.

If you believe a nursing home in the Georgia is subjecting residents to neglect or abuse, please contact the legal team at Katz Personal Injury Lawyers today at (404) 460-0101 to discuss your situation for free. Long-term care facilities are subject to strict state and federal regulations, and residents may be entitled to compensation if they have received poor care or treatment. Also, please note that all information is kept strictly confidential, even if you choose not to hire our law firm.