For those in Pennsylvania who do not need to be in the hospital but require extra care, nursing homes are a valuable resource. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, 80,000 residents live in nursing homes, with over 700 to choose from throughout the state. With so many options, the process of choosing the right nursing home for a loved one can seem overwhelming at first.
Fortunately, Medicare.gov provides a compare feature that allows individuals to quickly determine which nursing home is preferable for them. In this database, the government provides information on staffing, penalties, fire and health safety inspections, quality of resident care, staffing and other general information.
For those who are in the process of finding a nursing home for a loved one, a nursing home checklist is provided. This allows a simple way to compare nursing homes as they are interviewed and evaluated before a final decision is made. The nursing home checklist includes questions about t Medicaid and Medicare certification, the appearance of the residents, the cleanliness of the living spaces, the staff, the rooms, the bathrooms, lounges, stairs and hallways. This outline provides direction regarding what to look for in a nursing home, as many people are not aware of these things before they make a choice.
With the compare feature and the checklist, loved ones can make an educated decision when choosing a nursing home for their loved one. As these changes can also be emotional and overwhelming, outlining the facts in a simple manner can help improve the quality of life of the resident.