How to Select a Nursing Home

Your loved one deserves a safe and healthy nursing home

Many families have had to make a decision about admitting a loved one into nursing home care. Approximately 40,000 elderly, handicapped, or convalescent Georgia residents rely on nursing homes to provide medical and nursing care, activities, and other services. The Offices of Regulatory Services (ORS) of the Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) is responsible for licensing and regulating these facilities.

The state inspection reports of these facilities are often public documents available for your review if you are considering a facility for a loved one. 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"). Additional information is available about Georgia nursing homes at the Department of Human Services.

After determining that the facility is properly licensed and credentialed, visit the nursing home to judge for yourself. This checklist can help inform your opinion as you evaluate different establishments.

• Are the interactions between staff and residents friendly? Do staff address the residents by name?
• Is the home well lighted?
• Does the facility seem clean and well-maintained at a first impression?
• Have residents been changed from night clothes to day clothes?
• Are there privacy curtains around patient beds?
• Are fall-prevention equipment like hand rails in hallways and grab bars in bathrooms present and well maintained?
• Are call bells near each toilet?
• Are the hallways and rooms arranged so that there is space wide enough for wheelchairs and walkers to maneuver?

Questions to ask facility staff:

• What level of nursing and medical care is available on-site?
• Does the facility periodically report on resident progress to the patient's personal physician? To families?
• Is there a staff doctor or medical director? Are personal physicians allowed?
• How does the facility match roommates?
• Is there an operating agreement with a nearby hospital for emergencies?
• Are other medical services available (i.e., dentists, podiatrists, optometrists)?
• Is assistance in bathing and grooming available?
• Do patients have access to barbers or beauticians?
• Are all services covered in the basic daily charge? If not, is a list of specific services not covered in the basic rate available?
• How are Alzheimer's disease or other dementia patients monitored to prevent them from roaming away 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?
• Does a dietician plan menus for patients on special diets? Are personal likes and dislikes taken into consideration in menu planning? Are snacks available?