How to select a nursing home

It's never easy to put a loved one in a nursing home, but choosing the right facility can make all the difference.

Here is some helpful advice from Joseph J. Tomaino, Adjunct Professor of Nursing at Pace University and Chief Nursing Officer at New York's Morningside House.

Start by making a list of facilities in your geographic region, asking friends and doctors for recommendations.

Next, check the Department of Health or Centers for Medicare and Medicaid survey history for each facility. You can do this online or in-person, since each facility is required to have its most recent survey available. The survey is a good start, but it is only a once-a-year inspection that may not uncover problems.

The real test is a visit. Observe interactions between staff and residents to see how caring the staff appears, how they respond to upset or screaming residents (not uncommon on dementia units), and smell for foul odors which should not be common throughout the facility.

Observe organized activities if possible and find out how much experience the facility has with any specialized rehabilitation or care your family member requires. Finally, ask about accreditations.

home Those with a true commitment to quality of care above the minimum standards required will participate in outside endorsements, such as one provided by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.

"Remember the process doesn't stop at admission," says Tomaino. "Your ongoing involvement will help to ensure a positive experience."