As your parent or other loved ones age, finding a nursing home that can provide them with the around-the-clock care and assistance they need may become crucial. While getting them some help may be a top priority – especially if their condition is quickly deteriorating – keep in mind that quality of care is essential. As a nursing home abuse attorney in Sacramento and surrounding areas, I have seen firsthand how tragic low-quality nursing home care can be. As you embark on the decision-making process, here are a few things to remember regarding how to pick the right nursing home for someone you love.

One of your top considerations when choosing a nursing home for your loved ones should certainly be the cost of care and your personal budget. Nursing home care is expensive; to be sure, the average cost of a nursing home in the United States is between $205 and $229 per day, or $6,235 and $6,965 per month, according to LongTermCare.gov. For many families, these costs can be crippling.

There are typically three ways to pay for nursing home care. These include:

• Personal funds. The most common way to pay for nursing home care is through personal resources. This may come from a personal savings account or via assistance from family members.
• Long-term care insurance. Another way that some people choose to pay for nursing home care is through long-term care insurance, which refers to a type of private insurance policy that can be used to pay for a variety of long-term care, including nursing home care, as a person ages.
• Assistance through Medicaid. However, not all aging or disabled persons qualify for Medicaid – you may have to spend some of your money first to qualify. Further, not all nursing homes accept Medicaid coverage. If you plan on using Medicaid to help you afford the costs of nursing home care, you must check with the nursing home first before admitting your loved one.

As you think about nursing homes, set a budget, and know your spending limits. Some nursing homes are much more expensive than others.

If your loved one has unique healthcare needs, this should be at the top of your list when considering which nursing home to choose. Your loved one must reside within a nursing home with staff and nurses trained in and knowledgeable about your loved one’s specific condition. Conditions warranting specialty care include Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, or other cognitive or physical disabilities.

In addition to considering your loved one’s health needs, you should also consider the type of nursing home care your loved one wants, and needs; people with severe disabilities or health concerns will likely need more care. Types of nursing home care include: independent living facilities, assisted living facilities, intermediate care, congregate care, skilled nursing, hospice care, adult daycare, and respite care.

An essential part of ensuring that your loved one is well cared for and protected from nursing home abuse and neglect is checking in on them and visiting them regularly. In most cases, the more often you can visit your loved one, the better. As such, the location you choose for care is imperative; choosing a nursing home that is more than an hour’s drive away may impede your ability to see your loved one regularly.

Depending upon the visiting hours and regulations of the nursing home that you choose, the location may also have a positive – or negative – impact on your loved one’s ability to see other friends and family members or leave the facility for special events or holidays.

A nursing home’s policies and services can significantly affect your loved one’s comfort and experience during the years they spend in the facility. Everything from visiting hours to programs offered could make or break a decision.

Consider things such as the staff-to-patient ratio (which can be indicative of the level of care that each patient receives), the number and type of doctors and other medical professionals that the nursing home has on staff, meal times and meal options (for example, do nursing home patients have to eat at the same time as other residents or is their flexibility in mealtimes?), and social and community engagement opportunities. Also, consider policies such as when nursing home residents are allowed to leave (if ever) and factors such as how most residents spend their days. Talk to residents, nurses, staff members, and managers to understand the nursing home.

Finally, never select a nursing home for your loved one that has a history of abuse or malpractice or has had numerous complaints filed against it. You can find and compare nursing homes using Nursing Home Compare, provided by Medicare.gov. If you notice any signs of abuse or understaffing in visiting the nursing home before selecting it, do not select the nursing home. Nursing home abuse is a serious problem in California, and hundreds of residents suffer yearly.

When selecting a nursing home for your loved one, there are many things to consider. However, even if you think that you have found the perfect place, nursing home neglect or abuse is possible. If you notice any signs of neglect or suspect that your loved one may be a victim of abuse, do not hesitate to contact me for your free consultation. I have experience representing victims of nursing home abuse, and their families, in seeking damages and holding nursing homes accountable for negligent actions. Please call our legal team today to get started.

If you or your loved one has suffered nursing home abuse, please call our Sacramento personal injury law firm at (916) 921-6400 or 800) 404-5400 for free, friendly advice.

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^{Editor’s Note: updated for accuracy and relevancy [cha 7.27.20] Photo by Pexels [cs 1037]}