TIPS TO PICK THE BEST NURSING HOME FOR A LOVED ONE

Finding the right nursing home for an elderly loved one is a daunting task. And it's one most of us will face, as two-thirds of people over 65 will need nursing home care, at least temporarily, according to AARP. It's best if you can research facilities in advance, but that's not always possible. A sudden illness or injury may force you to confront these concerns sooner than you expect. Either way, here are several key considerations:

1. STAY CLOSE: The biggest influence on the quality of care nursing home patients receive is often the frequency of visits by friends and family. Make sure you'll be allowed to visit when you want - from early morning to late evening - to fit your schedule and enable you to monitor care at different times. Once your loved one is in a nursing home, drop by frequently, sometimes without notice. In the afternoon, see whether residents are enjoying interesting activities together or watching TV alone. At meal times, not how much your mom or dad eats. Stay late sometimes. After your loved one has fallen asleep, remain until he or she wakes up to go to the bathroom. If no one responds quickly to a ring for assistance, that's a serious problem. Residents forced to get up and go by themselves risk serious injury.

2. GET REFERENCES: There are several sources for referrals. Your local Area Agency on Aging or hospital discharge planners can provide listings of nearby nursing homes. Medicare caseworkers, at 1-800-MEDICARE, also can help. Stick to facilities certified by Medicare. They are inspected every year, and any complaints are investigated.

3. CHECK ON STAFFING: No matter how dedicated individual employees are, if there aren't enough, care suffers. Check the ratio of aides to patients. CMS requires each patient have a daily minimum of 2.8 hours of nursing aid time and 1.3 hours with an RN or LPN.

4. SCOPE IT OUT: Visit each nursin ghome you're considering and take notes. Snoop around. Check residents rooms for cheerfulness and safety. Inspect the kitchen for cleanliness. Once you have narrowed your choice down to two or three facilities, bring along your loved one if he or she is physically and mentally up to it.

5. CONSIDER COSTS: For most families, cost is a key factor. Last year, a semi-provate room ranged from an average $46,355 in Texas up to $222,285 in Alaska. Medicare will pay for a stay of up to 90 days; Medicaid covers costs for the poor. Many people must use up most of their assets to reach the point where Medicaid takes over ongoing costs. Visit AARP's new site for caregivers, with a cost calculator for different types of care, checklist of questions and tips: www.aarp.org/home-family/caregiving/info-05-2012/caregiving-resource-center-asking-right-questions.2.html

6. SWEAT THE DETAILS: Ask about anything that could affect whether your loved one will be happy and well treated. Will special needs be accommodated? Are there organized outings or visits by young people and pets? What activities are listed on the bulletin board, and is there a full-time coordinator? Do they have a library, Internet access, exercise classes or other stimulating offerings?

There's almost nothing the care of your loved one that shouldn't be checked on. And don't hesitate to move your loved one if they are not receiving the care they need and deserve.

source: www.cbsnews.com