nursing home for dad -what to look for
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Anonymous
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OP, finances are a huge consideration. If your Dad has long-term care insurance, be glad that he planned ahead. If not, be sure to consider how long he can pay for care before running out of money, and what the facility will do when that happens. Some nonprofits will commit to providing care for whatever amount he can afford when his assets run out. Private for-profit places will often say "we will work with you" but don't offer any actual assurance that they won't kick him out when the money runs out.
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Anonymous
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And what's the cost? My mother kept my father home for 6 years as he slowly died from Parkinson's. $65K yearly to secure an agency, with 12 hour care and two men who rotated weekly not to mention the meds, diapers, medical visits, hospital bed, etc. I don't know how she would have managed if she didn't have the money. |
Anonymous
Well then, what would you suggest instead? Certainly, the Medicare Compare site shouldn't be the only data a person uses to select a nursing home, but it can be a helpful source of information. Also, how long have you worked for a LTC facility that didn't get good ratings? |
Anonymous
Definitely the bolded part. Ask how they handle the overnight hours - how many are working, how often do they check residents. Also, how many staff are working per resident? Do the staff look engaged and happy? Are they friendly to you when you're touring? Are most residents out of their rooms in the common areas? Are the ambulatory residents able to get around themselves by themselves, safely? Check out the food they serve - good variety, appetizing How do they handle medical care - are there doctors who visit the facility or do you need to take dad out to get care? Same question for dentist, podiatrist, barber, etc. Does it look clean and well-kept (light bulbs working, no stains on carpet, etc) Finally, how does it smell? When you walk around you shouldn't smell urine or poop. |
Anonymous
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That question is better directed to you, as you are sufficiently defensive that one can infer you have some connection to a facility that has a bogus rating.
Congress has been concerned about the Medicare ratings and tasked GAO to investigate. GAO reports are blander than investigative pieces in the New York Times (which I presume you usually preface with "failing"), but the bottom line is that GAO is not confident in the reliability of the ratings. https://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-16-33
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