Following are samples of questions suggested by the federal government for people shopping for nursing homes:
- Find out who owns the home and whether it is approved in the Medicaid and Medicare programs.- Visit the home. Ask about its history and the services it offers.
- Ask about the home's most recent state inspection, what problems were found and how they were corrected.
- Ask whether the state has initiated any punitive action against the home in the past two years, and if so what actions were taken and how they were resolved. You may want to verify that with the state nursing home ombudsman, Marj Drury, at 538-3910.
- Ask about the home's admissions policy and for a copy of any admission agreement that may be required.
- Ask to see a copy of the home's residents' rights policy. Observe how well it is honoring these rights.
- Ask about the daily rates, and what they include. Ask how the home handles residents' personal funds, if assistance is needed.
- Ask about visiting hours and how much choice residents have about the time they get up, eat and go to bed.
- See if residents look well-cared for and properly groomed. Do staff treat the residents with courtesy and respect? If the opportunity arises, chat with a resident or two to get their impressions.
- Find out how medical care is provided in the facilty. Ask how many registered nurses and licensed practical nurses are employed and how many of them are on duty during days, evenings, nights and weekends.
- Ask about how the resident or family is involved in care planning decisions.
- Ask at what times meals are served and whether snacks are available. Ask to see the menus for a week. Are substitutions readily available?
- Observe how food is served. Does it look appetizing? Do resident appear to be enjoying their meals?
- Does the facility have varied activities suitable for residents with different interests and capabilities?