The physical characteristics of nursing homes have significantly improved over the years due to government policies, regulations and consumer movements to make nursing homes more "home-like".
However, make no mistake -- nursing homes are businesses, whether operating for profit or non-profit.
Because of government, insurance and other regulations, the application process (paperwork) for admission to a nursing home is laborious.
Make sure that you do not rush through the documents which can often be an inch thick and take over an hour to review if you are taking your time.
These documents contain important information that may affect the signor or your loved one.
Know which documents are optional -- and which require signatures, especially the arbitration agreement.
Ask for an admission packet prior to admission, meaning prior to the exact day and time you bring your loved one to the community so that you can review at your leisure.
Many times nursing home staff will have the spouse, siblings, children or next of kin sign very important documents to speed the admission process or staff will waive signing paperwork until the individual arrives at the nursing home.
Do not sign any documents if your loved one is capable of signing.
Know that by reviewing, understanding and advocating for yourself or a loved one during the admissions process you can questions to avoid future emotional, financial or legal unrest.
Take a thorough tour of the community including common areas like shower rooms where your loved one will be bathed, the dining room and others.
As you tour, observe signs of uncaring ways.
For example, how does the staff interact with one another and with patients? What does the overall environment look like; is it clean and in good repair? Do employees take pride in their work place? Do the employees take pride in their own appearance, do they seem happy? Keep in mind that unpleasant smells are normal because of bodily issues but does the smell linger, it is pervasive? Are the residents sitting in wheelchairs up and down the hallways receiving little or no attention? A beautiful or newly built facility may have an excellent appearance; this does not always result in good quality of care.
Question longevity of staff, how long have they been working at the community.
High staff turnover means there are usually hidden problems.
Ask to see the exact room where your loved one will be placed.
Ask to use a public bathroom to determine cleanliness and upkeep.
Know your rights.
Patients, families, and staff have written legal rights.
Read the "residents rights" packet and ask questions about anything you don't understand before signing.
Some communities have unusual items in their paperwork.
One community, for example, did not allow family members to hang pictures on the wall due to potential damage; this request had to be approved and completed by community maintenance staff.
Generally clothing to be washed should be marked; some communities see this as an invasion of patient rights however offer to do nothing when clothing is lost and cannot be replaced.
Read everything word for word -- especially the small print.
Most admission packets contain arbitration and financial agreements.
READ THESE VERY THOROUGHLY and know your rights.
If you have concerns, ask if the forms require a signature in order to facilitate admission.
Know that a signature on an arbitration agreement is not required nor recommended from a consumer rights perspective.
However, make no mistake -- nursing homes are businesses, whether operating for profit or non-profit.
Because of government, insurance and other regulations, the application process (paperwork) for admission to a nursing home is laborious.
Make sure that you do not rush through the documents which can often be an inch thick and take over an hour to review if you are taking your time.
These documents contain important information that may affect the signor or your loved one.
Know which documents are optional -- and which require signatures, especially the arbitration agreement.
Ask for an admission packet prior to admission, meaning prior to the exact day and time you bring your loved one to the community so that you can review at your leisure.
Many times nursing home staff will have the spouse, siblings, children or next of kin sign very important documents to speed the admission process or staff will waive signing paperwork until the individual arrives at the nursing home.
Do not sign any documents if your loved one is capable of signing.
Know that by reviewing, understanding and advocating for yourself or a loved one during the admissions process you can questions to avoid future emotional, financial or legal unrest.
Take a thorough tour of the community including common areas like shower rooms where your loved one will be bathed, the dining room and others.
As you tour, observe signs of uncaring ways.
For example, how does the staff interact with one another and with patients? What does the overall environment look like; is it clean and in good repair? Do employees take pride in their work place? Do the employees take pride in their own appearance, do they seem happy? Keep in mind that unpleasant smells are normal because of bodily issues but does the smell linger, it is pervasive? Are the residents sitting in wheelchairs up and down the hallways receiving little or no attention? A beautiful or newly built facility may have an excellent appearance; this does not always result in good quality of care.
Question longevity of staff, how long have they been working at the community.
High staff turnover means there are usually hidden problems.
Ask to see the exact room where your loved one will be placed.
Ask to use a public bathroom to determine cleanliness and upkeep.
Know your rights.
Patients, families, and staff have written legal rights.
Read the "residents rights" packet and ask questions about anything you don't understand before signing.
Some communities have unusual items in their paperwork.
One community, for example, did not allow family members to hang pictures on the wall due to potential damage; this request had to be approved and completed by community maintenance staff.
Generally clothing to be washed should be marked; some communities see this as an invasion of patient rights however offer to do nothing when clothing is lost and cannot be replaced.
Read everything word for word -- especially the small print.
Most admission packets contain arbitration and financial agreements.
READ THESE VERY THOROUGHLY and know your rights.
If you have concerns, ask if the forms require a signature in order to facilitate admission.
Know that a signature on an arbitration agreement is not required nor recommended from a consumer rights perspective.