An RN Speaks Out On Nursing Home Facilities-What to Look For and What to Watch Out For!

We talk with a lot of clients about nursing homes and health care. I have asked a licensed RN who visits multiple nursing homes to share with us her observations and thoughts on health care in these facilities.

I hope this is helpful to you as you care for your aging parents. Thanks to my friend for her thoughtful comments:

"This is in response to a request I've gotten to post my ad hoc observations about nursing homes and how they differ, and how to know if your loved one is getting the appropriate care.

"First, I strongly recommend the Medicare website, which has a Nursing Home Compare section with a lot of helpful information.

"Next, keep in mind that I am still very new to working with nursing homes, so my observations have their limits. I welcome input/comments from anyone who can expand, elaborate, contradict, or otherwise enhance these comments. For example, I don't actually know what regulations a nursing home has to follow, and what information they are required to provide to the public. With all that said, here we go.

"Here's what I like to see:

Nurses who know the patients well, and can easily talk about their eating habits, the "as needed" medications they've had to take, and their physical status without having to look something up.

Patients who need to be fed actually being fed, instead of having their tray sit in front of them untouched for 45 minutes without anything to keep the food warm, or any indication that they DO get fed -- at all. (TIP: schedule a stealth visit at mealtime.)

Patients with significant debilities nonetheless being encouraged and helped to get out of bed and into some sort of chair if at all possible.

Clear, detailed documentation of any wounds and their treatment (including measurements) that is (1) easy to access, and (2) updated AT LEAST weekly (you'll only be able to legally access records for your own family members).

Appropriate use of "as needed" medication for pain, agitation, or other distressing symptoms.

A clean, bright environment with no evidence of broken equipment.

A low pressure ulcer acquisition rate, and someone who can tell you what it is.

Activities for residents.

A wide variety of services provided by the facility (not contracted), including physical therapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral therapy, dieticians, and so on.

Staff that clearly enjoys working together and at the facility.

"That's a start. I'm sure there are folks reading this who could add more."

If you are looking for a nursing home facility, keep these thoughts in mind as you conduct your search. Take great care of your parents in this area and the reward will be tremendous!

Jane Allison Austin is a licensed attorney, an elder law advocate and the founder of http://www.LoveYourParents.com. For more information on how to help your parents through the aging process or for a free report: "Three Things You Must Know if You Have Elderly Parents" as well as other helpful links and resources, please visit: http://www.LoveYourParents.com.

Jane Allison also invites you to sign up for the Love Your Parents free newsletter on how to care for the ones you love.