Know How to Spot Bad Nursing Homes

Author: Auger Law | December 10th, 2014

When it comes time to consider a nursing home or assisted living center for a loved one, you want to be sure that you are choosing the right one. You will conduct research on how to find the right nursing home, but will you know how to spot a bad one?

You may find a handful of nursing homes that meet your criteria. You may meet with staff members that say all of the right things. Do not settle on a nursing home based on your initial research; dig deeper. Know how to spot a bad nursing home and you will be able to choose safely.

Avoid Nursing Homes With:

• A High Turnover

When staff is unhappy, residents are unhappy. It really is that simple. While no nursing home will be staffed with the same people from the day it opens until the day it closes, you should be able to find several staff members who have been in it for the long haul. If the nursing home has a revolving door when it comes to its staff, look elsewhere.

• History of Violations

Check out Medicare.gov for nursing homes in your area. All you need to do is type in your zip code. Medicare assigns star ratings to nursing homes based on factors including staffing and health inspections. You can click on the various nursing homes to read more detailed reports.

• Severe Violations

When you find a nursing home with violations, read what they are for. There is a difference between a nursing home that has several minor housekeeping violations and one that has severe safety violations. A number of severe violations should have you searching for a different nursing home.

• Residents Without Independence

Residents who are able to move about independently should be seen moving about the facility, even if supervised. Any nursing home that you visit should not seem like a ghost town. Residents should be able to make decisions for their own care. Do note that some nursing homes ban certain things like wall hangings simply to avoid having to renovate rooms when a new resident moves in.

• Leave You Feeling Uneasy

Trust your intuition. No matter how good a nursing home seems, if you are left with an uneasy feeling in your gut, walk away. First impressions are important, and that feeling in your gut is just as important. You know what you’re looking for, and you know what type of environment your loved one will thrive in.

If you believe that your loved one has been the victim of elder abuse or mistreatment in a nursing home or assisted living facility, contact the knowledgeable attorneys at Auger & Auger to assist you. We have attorneys experienced in elder care law who are ready to assist you. Call us today for a free consultation!