Resources for Choosing a Nursing Home

For many people, choosing a nursing home for an aging loved one is the most difficult decision they will ever have to make. This transitional time signals the beginning of the last years you’ll have with your family member.

The sheer emotion involved makes it even harder to focus. Because most people have limited experience with this stage of life, they may not know what to look for in a care facility. To add to the emotional distress, it can be difficult to find all of the resources you need to make an informed decision.

An elder law attorney can help you sift through all of the information to make the best choices for your family. If you’re just starting on your journey, the following resources can help you learn more about the process.

Choosing a Nursing Home

This article from the National Institute on Aging provides a good overall description of the types of care that different nursing homes provide. They go into a good deal of detail on questions to ask in your research. You’ll learn about the steps you can take to verify a home is the right fit for you and your loved one emotionally. They also provide a good list of things to look for when visiting prospective homes.

Choosing the Right Nursing Home

This article from the AARP lists ten questions you should ask when researching a nursing home. Each of the questions comes with some tips to help you determine the level of care available at the facility. It includes insights as to the types of things you’ll find at good facilities and signs that there might be improper care.

Your Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home

This guide was published by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This 48-page PDF provides comprehensive information on topics relevant to making your decisions with regard to the care of your loved one. It gives a great overview of the rights and protections afforded to patients in any type of home, as well as information on choosing the type of care individual patients might find most beneficial. It also offers a great deal of information on financial questions related to elder care and resources to help with financial and emotional support.

Nursing Home Consumer Information

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts maintains this website to aid the families and patients in nursing homes. You can find tools to file complaints on a facility, learn more about a facility, and  access resources about what the state offers. They offer comparisons in service providers, as well as a wealth of information about patient rights and resources in Massachusetts.

Making decisions about the next step in the care of an elderly family member is exceptionally stressful. These resources offer a wealth of information to help you make the best decisions for the highest quality of life possible.