Choosing A Nursing Home In Clearwater Or Other Long-Term Care

Nursing homes provide care for older adults who are unable to live independently for different reasons. The Florida Health Care Association reports that 71,000 older adults live in a nursing home or other assisted living facility.

Some older adults may require a skilled nursing facility for stays as brief as several weeks, whereas others make a nursing home their permanent residence once they reach a certain age. Our Clearwater nursing home planning attorney offers tips for choosing the right nursing home or other facility, whether you are looking for yourself or an older adult family member or friend.

Choosing A Nursing Home Or Other Care In Clearwater

As people age, chronic health conditions become more prevalent, accidental injuries can happen in different ways, and even mild illnesses can cause serious implications. All can make it more difficult for older adults to live alone or provide for themselves. Family and friends may want to help but are likely dealing with their own work, family, and personal responsibilities. In this situation, a nursing home or other assisted living facility may be the best option to ensure older loved ones get the daily support and medical attention they need.

The National Institute On Aging advises being extremely careful in choosing a facility, as elder abuse and neglect are unfortunately common. They recommend using the following tips as a guideline when seeking nursing home or other care:

• Consider wants and needs: This includes the level of medical care you or an older adult loved one requires, any special conditions, such as dementia, and personal preferences, such as choosing a more laid-back facility as opposed to one that pushes group outings and activities.
• Call and visit different facilities: The best way to assess a nursing home is to actually take a tour. Talk to the workers and patients while paying close attention to the general environment and whether residents seem happy and well-cared for. Dropping in unannounced at different times can also help get a clearer picture.
• Talk to friends, co-workers, or other family members: Ask around. Considering the high demand for nursing home care in Clearwater, the odds are that someone you know may have helpful information.
• Check reviews and ratings: Reviews are typically available via social media or a simple internet search. Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare database can provide more detailed information, showing the results of recent inspections and how the facility scores in providing different types of care.

Medicare also offers a list of questions you should consider when looking at nursing homes. You can print this questionnaire out and take it with you on visits.

Request A Consultation With Our Clearwater Nursing Home Planning Attorney

As an experienced Clearwater nursing home planning attorney, William Rambaum provides the caring support and trusted legal guidance you need, whether you are searching for facilities for yourself or a loved one. To request a consultation, give us a call or contact our office online today.

Sources:

fhca.org/media_center/long_term_health_care_facts

nia.nih.gov/health/assisted-living-and-nursing-homes/how-choose-nursing-home-or-other-long-term-care-facility

medicare.gov/care-compare/results/?searchType=NursingHome&page=1&radius=10&sort=closest&zipcode=37601

medicare.gov/sites/default/files/2018-07/nursing-home-checklist.pdf