Are Medicaid Nursing Homes Really That Bad?

[Anonymous]

The government has a five-star rating system for nursing homes that receive any Medicare/Medicaid funding and while it's not perfect you can get basic info on recent inspections, staffing levels and more on individual nursing homes here:
https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/?providerType=NursingHome

[Anonymous]

My aunt was in a facility in a smaller city that was likely, mostly Medicaid beds. It was older, but clean and bright and warm.
She thrived there! She went to the activities, chatted with others over coffee and tea, and the aides would braid her long hair. She had family (me and mom, her brothers, my cousins) there nearly every day and we did her laundry. The food was decent-not gourmet but good and plenty.
She had appropriate medical attention, and was able to pass away there. Our family was grateful for that place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My aunt was in a facility in a smaller city that was likely, mostly Medicaid beds. It was older, but clean and bright and warm.
She thrived there! She went to the activities, chatted with others over coffee and tea, and the aides would braid her long hair. She had family (me and mom, her brothers, my cousins) there nearly every day and we did her laundry. The food was decent-not gourmet but good and plenty.
She had appropriate medical attention, and was able to pass away there. Our family was grateful for that place.

I'm an earlier PP. My mom's setting was very similar. My mom didn't necessarily want to participate in the activities, but she enjoyed sitting there and chit chatting while they activities were underway. I really appreciated that the organizers had that attention to detail on how to socialize residents w/o strictly requiring them to participate.

[Anonymous]

Most nursing homes are bad. Visited at least 12 before placing my mother. Landed on what seemed to be the lesser of all evils and was close enough for me to drop in unannounced day or night to make sure she was ok.