The Joint Commission has some tips for choosing a nursing home or other long term care facility. Such a decision should not be made hastily and without proper research. Here are some selected tips from the Commission, which should give you a good start:
How is the organization staffed during evenings and weekends? How many nurses are on duty? What is the ratio of nursing assistants to residents? How are medical situations handled that are beyond the organization’s capabilities?
Do you know the organizations philosophy about end-of-life decisions? Are residents and their families involved in decisions that will prolong life with artificial means?
Does the organization have a resident and family council? How are often are the meetings? How does management deal with suggestions from the councils, families, and residents?
Does the organization monitor itself or does it rely only on state oversight?
In an emergency, can the organization provide care or make arrangements for care to be provided?
These are just a few things to consider when you are faced with placing a loved one in a nursing home. Remember, you are placing the safety and well-being of someone very dear to you in the hands of staff and personnel that you do not know. Make no assumptions and do your homework.
Bettina Altizer- Attorney at Law
324 Washington Avenue
Roanoke, Virginia, 24016
540-491-0015
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