Putting ourselves or our loved ones in a nursing home is a decision that can be distressing. However, we can’t always provide the around-the-clock care and attention that our loved ones need, or we may be unable to properly care for ourselves. When caring for yourself or a family member—whether it be a parent, relative, or spouse—becomes unsafe or untenable, it’s vital that you look into a high-quality nursing home that will be able to provide the level of care that is needed. Although you may feel guilty or upset, making the decision will be much easier if you prepare.
Once you realize that you can’t provide the level of care your loved one needs or that you can no longer function independently, take the time to research nursing homes in your area that will best fit your needs or the needs of the person you’re caring for. While doing this, you’ll start to get the idea that a nursing home isn’t so bad, and you can begin to accept your decision. To help you get started, here are four tips for finding a quality nursing home in New York City.
Narrow Down Your Options
When it comes time to start researching different nursing homes, narrow your search results to find exactly what you’re looking for. Location is going to be one of the most important factors because if you’re making this decision yourself, there’s no doubt you’ll want to be near your family and friends.
If you’re searching for nursing homes for your loved one, you’ll want them in a location you can easily visit. After a long day of work, you’re not going to want to drive over an hour to see your family member. If you are unable to narrow it down to a few in your area, think about the possibility of choosing a facility close to another family member that you trust to be there to support you or your loved one.
Another crucial factor is the size of the nursing home. While this might not seem like a determining factor, it can make all the difference in the world when it comes to you or your loved one’s preferences and personality traits. For example, take into consideration the following questions:
- Is this person introverted or outgoing? Would they benefit from a facility that has many residents, or would they rather be in a smaller environment?
- Is this person active? Would they want to be able to go on walks outside? Are these areas safe, monitored, and easily accessible?
- Does this person like to be on their own or would they want a place that offers activities that all residents can participate in?
Choose Essential Services
Depending on the type of care that is needed, you’ll want to choose a home that offers the essential services specific to what you or your loved one needs. Although most nursing home facilities offer long-term and full-time care, they aren’t all the same. Examples of different types of nursing homes include:
- Independent living apartments: Best for elders that need little to no assistance with everyday activities
- Adult homes: Provides shared housing, meals, and care for elders and disabled elders
- Assisted living facilities: Best for elders who need custodial care
- Lifecare communities: Provides full or partial continuum of care services for elders
- Nursing homes: Best for elders who need 24/7 assistance and monitoring
Once you determine the type of nursing facility that provides the care level required, visit the home or talk to someone about the services they offer other than care, such as:
- Meals
- Activities
- Hygiene
- Therapy
- Excursions and events
If you’re looking for more of an independent style of living, find out whether residents can make decisions for themselves regarding what they can eat or do throughout the day. Also, ask about visitation hours and whether you can participate in activities with your loved one.
Pay Attention to Staff Qualities
When you visit a nursing facility, observe how the staff interacts with you, each other, and the residents. The staff members are going to be the ones caring for you or your loved ones. Therefore, it’s necessary that they possess qualities of professionalism, skill, and compassion. If you’re able to, take the time to chat with some of the staff and ask them some questions concerning their relationships with their residents or what they love about their job.
Working at a nursing facility can be stressful, and burnout is often high. This is why you want to look for facilities that have a warm and welcoming staff—those who truly care about the well-being of the residents. Other things you should take into consideration include:
- Whether the staff goes through training and education programs
- What qualifications staff members need in order to be hired
- Whether there are registered and licensed nurses on the campus
- Whether staff members undergo a background check
- If the staff keeps in contact with residents’ family members
Know the Warning Signs
The last step before choosing a quality nursing home is to look out for any warning signs. It’s important to read reviews about the facility and staff, but there are a few other things that could affect the quality of care you or your loved one receives, including:
- If the facility has a poor violation history such as failed health and safety inspections or is understaffed
- If the facility has severe violations like residents going missing or deadly infections, diseases, or illnesses that have spread through the home
- If administration or management is inaccessible
Whether your decision comes down to the cleanliness of the facility or the politeness of the staff, it can make all the difference in your or your loved one’s experience. If anything feels off, trust your instinct and look elsewhere. There is someplace out there with people willing to go above and beyond in caring for you or your loved one.
Compassionate Lawyers for Nursing Home Abuse in New York
When we make the choice to admit ourselves or our loved ones in a nursing home, we expect the staff to provide high-quality and individualized treatment to ensure safety and welfare. Unfortunately, sometimes we’re put in situations where our health or the health of our loved one suddenly changes, and a rushed decision must be made. Other times, we take the necessary steps to find a nursing home in advance and we come to discover that it is nothing like what we expected it to be.
If you discover that you or your loved one is a victim of nursing home abuse, you deserve to have compassionate and aggressive legal representation to recover compensation for the injuries or pain and suffering that was endured. At Dalli & Marino, our New York nursing home abuse lawyers represent clients that have been neglected in their care facilities, and we’ve successfully obtained millions of dollars in compensation for injured nursing home victims.
Since 1996, we’ve had the same goal—to help nursing home residents preserve their rights with the personalized service and attention their case needs. For a free case evaluation, call 888-465-8790 or complete our contact form.
