When New Mexico residents realize they need to put a parent in a nursing home, they may not know which facility to choose. Many people may have heard stories about nursing home neglect. To ensure a nursing home will take good care of seniors, there are a few questions people should ask when they visit different facilities.
It is important to ask about the staff members of a nursing home. According to U.S. News and World Report, family members should usually ask how long the caregivers have worked at the facility. Ideally, staff members will work at a nursing home for a long time and work with the same residents every day. If a facility has a high turnover rate, this may affect the kind of care an elderly relative receives. Additionally, it is a good idea to ask about the staffing ratios. It is generally best if a nursing home has a larger staff so that caregivers are not spread too thin among the residents. People can also do their own research so they can compare the number of staff members with the number of residents.
Additionally, people may want to ask how nursing homes treat their bedridden residents. Without proper care, bedridden seniors may develop pressure sores. If a facility does not have protocols in place to protect these residents, people might want to look at other nursing homes. It is also a good idea to ask about medications. Sometimes nursing homes misuse medications in an attempt to control patients with dementia. Before choosing a facility, it is important to make sure the staff members will be responsible with medication.
When visiting nursing homes, people should also research inspections of the facility. The BrightFocus Foundation says that family members should know when the last inspection took place, as well as whether the facility received a citation. If people find a citation, they should typically ask the nursing home how staff members have worked to fix the problem. Additionally, it is a good idea to research complaints. If people see many complaints about the kind of care residents receive, they may want to find a different nursing home.
