What to Look for in a Nursing Home
Finances
Line up your finances from the start. If you can't pay for home, there is no point into thinking about putting a family member there. Find out what coverage your parents have, their total wealth and if they are eligible for state assistance. Remember that most states will come after the estate of the patient to redeem these public dollars, so if you can afford it, it may be better to pay fees as you go. And yes, more and more states are passing laws that hold children can be legally responsible for these debts. Call several nursing homes Cincinnati Ohio has a variety to choose from. Make sure you know what amounts you and your parent can pay. This will limit which nursing home you can choose.
Level of Care
When you have some choices in mind, go to the state website and download the latest state inspection reports on nursing homes Cincinnati Ohio area. Make a list of each infraction and ask the director why these happened and how they were fixed. Ask if you can have the nurses of your choice assigned to your family member. You may not want this choice, but picking out staff members can give a certain piece of mind. Do ask about staffing levels, availability of water between meals and snacks. Ask what services you can do on your own to save money. Come at a meal time to see how the residents are being fed. Ask about a changing schedule if your resident is not continent. Have the director show you the devices they use to assist patients such as wheelchairs and lifts. Make a note of broken equipment. Make sure the facility is clean and decent smelling. Your home does not smell; neither should a nursing homes.
Smaller and Farther May Be Better
Most of the nursing homes that receive the highest marks from families are not often in urban areas. They tend to be smaller nursing homes in the Cincinnati Ohio area, which provide the family with direct contact with staff who are empowered to make changes happen. Plus, these facilities are often cheaper than the 100+ beds nursing homes Cincinnati Ohio. Most people don't like having their loved one so far away, but if you are only going to visit on Sunday, does distance matter so much? Care is the most important thing.
With perseverance, the right care facility can be found.