When we reach a certain age, living in a nursing home can provide several advantages. These facilities provide the necessary care and enrichment activities for seniors, delivering a sense of community and comfort.
With so many options available, finding the best Nevada nursing facility can be a challenge. The following tips can help you weigh different options and find the right nursing home for you or your loved one.
#1: Make a List of Priorities
Before beginning your search, consider what factors are important to your future nursing home. For example, you may want a facility that has special care units for certain patients or is associated with a specific religious affiliation. You may want a facility that is close enough for friends and family to visit.
Carefully consider each of your priorities and make a list before heading into your search. These notes can be very helpful in narrowing down potential facilities and helping you assess each option when you plan a visit.
#2: Ask for Referrals
One of the best ways to learn about a nursing home is to speak with people who have lived there. Contact friends, family members, social workers, and other trusted individuals and ask for their opinions about different facilities. If possible, ask your healthcare provider about facilities that could best meet your needs.
#3: Schedule In-Person Visits
Research each facility online and make a list of homes that you would like to visit. Then, contact each place on your list and speak to a representative. Ask questions about the facility, such as its cost and how many residents live in the home.
Then, schedule a visit and go to each facility in person. During your visit, meet with the people in charge of the facility and bring a checklist of items to look for. Ask lots of questions of the staff members and listen carefully to their answers.
The Medicare Nursing Home Checklist is a good resource, suggesting that you assess the following factors about the home.
- Whether the facility is certified by Medicare or Medicaid
- Whether the staff members and the residents have friendly, warm interactions
- The facility’s previous history of complaints or infections
- Disability accommodations such as handicap access and fall-proof showers
- The health and physical appearance of the residents
#4: Narrow Down Your List and Make a Second Visit
After your first round of nursing home visits, narrow down your list to the top two or three options. Then, make a second visit to each facility without calling ahead. This second visit can help you assess the normal daily operations of the nursing home and identify whether it is a good environment for you.
Speak to a Las Vegas Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer
While these tips could help you find the right nursing home, abuse can happen at any facility. If you or a loved one have experienced abuse at the hands of a nursing home employee, the facility and the abuser may be liable for any damages that you experienced. These may include medical expenses, property loss, pain and suffering, and more.
In these situations, you need an attorney on your side who can represent your best interests and hold the facility accountable for the abuse. If you believe that a loved one is experiencing abuse, or if you are experiencing harm yourself, contact a Las Vegas nursing home abuse attorney to discuss your next steps.