Evaluating Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities

Many people find themselves in the unenviable position of having to evaluate nursing homes and assisted living facilities on behalf of a loved one who no longer can reside at home. While you want the appropriate persons to care for your loved one, you also want him or her to be able to make decisions and perform tasks as he or she is able. When you have no personal or professional experience in evaluating these facilities, it can be quite a daunting task. However, there are a few things that you always should look for when considering the suitability of a nursing facility or assisted living facility for your loved one, as well as whether the facility offers a person-centered approach.

First, you will want to make sure that the facility is willing to get to know your loved one personally and respect his or her normal routines, likes, and dislikes. If your loved one is unable to express these wishes due to a medical condition, such as dementia, there should be a questionnaire or interview with family members in order to gather this information.

Next, you may ask whether the same people will be consistently caring for your loved one, or if there may be many different people filling that role. Consistency is always helpful to senior citizens, and a sudden change can be quite distressing. Having a team that almost always cares for the same patients can be critical to an elderly patient’s needs.

You also should ask questions about your loved one’s ability to make decisions, such as when to get up and when to go to sleep, when and what to eat, and when to not be disturbed. Maintaining a consistent routine can be key to your loved one’s well-being.

Finally, you should ask questions about the daily routines of facility residents. How often are they bathed? Do they have to get dressed each day? Do they have to eat in the common dining room or can they eat privately in their rooms? Is there time for activities, and what kind of activities are offered at the facility? These questions should help you get a clear picture of daily living in the nursing or assisted living facility.

Choosing between long-term care facilities and in-home care can be a difficult decision. It is hard to determine not only what level of care is appropriate and ensure quality of care, but also to how fund long-term care. As the nursing home industry continues to grow with America’s steadily aging population, the quality of care and staff members continues to become of greater concern. At Boller & Vaughan, we focus on protecting the rights of those who have suffered neglectful or abusive actions at the hands of caregivers at nursing home facilities. We have the skills and knowledge to delve into the facts your case, consider all available options, and advocate on your behalf by bringing any legal claims that you may have against the nursing home in question, or its staff members. Call your Wisconsin nursing home neglect and abuse attorneys at (608) 268-0268 and schedule your free consultation today.