How to Select a Nursing Home
Gary Martin Hays & Associates • Atlanta and Athens Lawyers
Approximately 40,000 elderly, handicapped, or convalescent persons in the state of Georgia depend on nursing homes to provide medical and nursing care, activities, and social services. If you are faced with the decision of putting a loved one in a nursing home or selecting a home for yourself, how do you find the right nursing home?
In Georgia, some of our elderly citizens live in nursing homes while others live in personal care homes.
A nursing home provides medical and nursing care to residents. The care provided may be skilled care on a 24-hour basis by registered nurses or intermediate care on a less than 24-hour basis by licensed practical nurses, or both. A nursing home also may provide physical and speech therapy, diet supervision, and help with dressing, bathing, and medication.
A personal care home provides personal care services for unrelated residents who are not bedridden. A personal care home, or “assisted living facility” as it is often called, is not licensed to provide medical or nursing care. It does provide meals, personal care, and companionship for people who need some supervision and help with daily personal needs. A person will not be allowed to live in a personal care home unless he or she can live without a lot of supervision and can leave the building quickly with little help.
Who is in charge of licensing and regulating Georgia nursing homes? Offices of Regulatory Services (ORS) of the Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR).
How can I find a good nursing home? There are many things to consider when choosing a nursing facility for yourself or a loved one. State inspection reports, word of mouth recommendations, and promotional literature can all be helpful. But nothing is more valuable than the insight you gain from making personal visits to the home(s) you are considering.
Thing to observe during a nursing home visit:
- Is the home well lighted?
- Is the facility free of overwhelming unpleasant odors? Is the home clean and well-maintained according to your personal standards?
- Do residents appear well groomed and clean? Have they been changed from night clothes to day clothes?
- Do patient beds have privacy curtains? Are those curtains being used by staff to protect the privacy of patients receiving treatments or assistance?
- How do staff members interact with residents? Do the staff members appear courteous and friendly? Do they address the residents by name? Are call lights promptly answered?
- Is there an activities schedule posted? Do the residents participate?
- Do meals appear tasty and attractive? Are residents who need help eating receiving any assistance? Is the food preparation area separate from the dishwashing and garbage areas?
- Are there hand rails in hallways and grab bars in bathrooms? Are toilets convenient to bedrooms and handicappers? Is there a sink in each bathroom? Are call bells near each toilet?
- Are the hallways wide enough to accommodate passing wheelchairs or walkers? Are the rooms large enough to allow a wheelchair or walker to maneuver easily?
- Is the temperature comfortable (many seniors prefer warmer environments)?
- Do all patient rooms have windows? Do all residents have closets and drawers for clothing?
- Is the atmosphere generally friendly and welcoming?
Questions to ask facility staff:
- Are beds available?
- Does the home have a current license from the state? Does the administrator have a current license from the sate? (If not, do not use the home.)
- Is the home’s license about to be suspended or revoked?
- What level of nursing care is available?
- Is there a staff doctor or medical director?
- If Medicare and/or Medicaid coverage is needed, is the home certified?
- How does the facility match roommates?
- Does the home have a formal quality assurance program?
- Does the facility have an operating agreement with a nearby hospital for emergencies? Is a physician available in an emergency? Are personal physicians allowed?
- How is regular medical attention assured? How are patients and families involved in treatment plans? Are other medical services available (i.e., dentists, podiatrists, optometrists)?
- Does the facility periodically report on resident progress to the patient's personal physician? To families?
- What services are provided for terminally ill patients and their families?
- Does the home have an Alzheimer's disease program? Do they monitor people that may have a tendency to roam from the facility?
- Is a licensed nurse always available? Does a pharmacist review patient drug regimens? Is there a physical therapy program available under the direction of a qualified physical therapist? Are services of an occupational therapist or speech pathologist available?
- How are residents encouraged to participate in activities? How are patient activity preferences respected? Are group and individual activities available?
- Is a social worker available to assist residents and families?
- Does a dietician plan menus for patients on special diets? Are personal likes and dislikes taken into consideration in menu planning? Are snacks available?
- Is assistance in bathing and grooming available? Are barbers and beauticians available?
- How are disputes, problems, or complaints with the quality of care settled? Does the facility have a written description of patient rights and responsibilities? Is the staff trained to protect patient dignity and privacy?
- Are all services covered in the basic daily charge? If not, is a list of specific services not covered in the basic rate available?
- Will the home help you with third-party (insurance) or Medicare or Medicaid billing? Are advance payments returned if the patient leaves the home? Does the home regularly survey residents or family members to find out how satisfied they are with the quality of services the home provides?
Questions to ask yourself:
- Do I feel comfortable coming here or leaving my loved one here?
- Is the location of the facility convenient for frequent visits of family and friends?
- Is the facility convenient for the patient's personal physician?
- Am I committed to continuing involvement in my loved one's life and care (i.e., personal visits, serving on council, etc.)?
For more information about nursing homes:
- You can find specific information about every nursing home in the country certified by Medicare or Medicaid at www.medicare.gov(click on “nursing home compare”). This site will give you findings from recent inspection reports about a specific home’s deficiencies in categories such as quality of care, resident rights, mistreatment, and nutrition. It will also give you information about the staff, the number of beds, and the type of ownership.
- Additional information is available about Georgia nursing homes at the Department of Human Resources Web site: www.state.ga.us/departments/dhr/ors.
If you have concerns about the quality of care your loved one is receiving in a nursing home, call Gary Martin Hays & Associates.
1-888-934-8100
Gary Martin Hays & Associates handles personal injury, workers’ compensation, and wrongful death cases throughout Georgia from our offices in the Atlanta and Athens areas.
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