How Does Nursing Home Operate?
A nursing home might be the best option for older adults who require round-the-clock medical care and supervision. They offer a range of medical, personal, and social services to meet the needs of those who are disabled or chronically ill. Learn more about the care that these nursing homes provide. The Care Nursing Homes Offer A nursing home offers the most holistic care a person can receive outside of a hospital. Staff provide custodial care, such as bathing, feeding, and help older adults get dressed. Moreover, some offer skilled care, which is when a registered nurse cares for residents, provides medical monitoring, and administers medication. Some skilled care nurses also specialize in other areas and can double as a physical, occupational, or respiratory therapist. Discover what to look for in a nursing home in today’s blog. What Services Do These Homes Provide? The services that care centers offer, vary, but they often include: Monitoring of medication Room and board Personal care, including bathing, toilet assistance, and dressing 24-hour emergency services Recreational and social activities What Should I Look for in a Nursing Home? Review our checklist to make an informed decision in helping your parents or grandparents find the right nursing home. General Care Center Questions: Does this facility meet local and state licensing requirements? Do they provide the level of care that your loved one needs? Does the home’s administrator have an up-to-date license? Does the facility meet state fire regulations? These include well-maintained sprinkler systems, fire-resistant doors, and evacuation plans for residents and staff. What is their policy on insurance and personal property? What are their visiting hours? How do caregivers respond to medical emergencies? Do they follow a procedure? Admission Questions: What are their admission requirements? How soon will you know if your loved one is accepted? Will you receive a notification if your loved one isn’t accepted? Needs Assessment: How do they assess a prospective resident’s need for services, such as specialized care? Are their needs reassessed biannually? Does each resident have an individual, written care plan? Financing and Fees: Have the facility’s fees increased drastically in the past few years? Are their fees competitive? What are their billing, credit, and payment policies? Is their fee structure easy to follow? Are there varying costs for different services? Do they show which services insurance covers in the quoted fee and which ones cost more? Are the accounting and billing procedures understandable? How soon can a resident terminate a contract? Will they be eligible for a refund? Which governmental financing options do they accept? These include Medicaid, Medicare, Medicare Supplemental Insurance, and Supplemental Security Income. Caregiver Qualifications: Do social workers, nurses, and administrators have geriatric care experience or education? Are they able to meet scheduled and unscheduled needs? Do they treat residents as individuals and respect their needs, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach? Do they genuinely care about residents and enjoy serving them? Are they readily available to assist residents with memory, judgment, or orientation loss? Do doctors and nurses regularly visit to provide residents with medical checkups? Do residents look comfortable and happy? What do residents, their loved ones, and volunteers say about the nursing home? Are residents clean and appropriately dressed? Are there flyers posted that list residents’ rights? Are There Red Flags to Watch out For? The U.S. Government Accountability Office reports that one-quarter of all nursing homes are understaffed, have unqualified caregivers, and are profit-focused. Negligent staff can harm residents and put them at risk for severe injuries or death. Don’t ignore the following four red flags. Injuries: Although the elderly are susceptible to falls, you should investigate frequent injuries. Poor hygiene: This can enable germs and bacteria, wreaking havoc on a resident’s health. Disorientation: If your loved one is always “out of it” when you see them, there may be a serious problem behind closed doors. Financial abuse: If you notice money disappearing from your loved one’s savings, a staff member may be financially exploiting them. Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton Can Help Unfortunately, nursing home abuse often goes undetected because many families falsely believe their loved one is in good hands. If you suspect your loved one is a victim of abuse, Flickinger Sutterfield & Boulton can help you hold a negligent nursing home accountable. Our experienced personal injury attorneys fight for victims and their families to receive not only fair compensation but also respect and kindness. We have offices throughout Utah County and West Jordan. Schedule your free case evaluation today.