Nursing Homes

(Part 2 of 2)

When your family or friends meet with the administrator, they should ask to see the three most recent state surveys (also called inspections) of the facility. Your local ombudsman can also help them obtain these and can help them interpret the results. These surveys will help you understand what kinds of problems exist at the facility. Be wary if you see the same problems year after year. A good nursing home will make improvements based on the survey. All nursing homes will have some problems. The purpose of the report is to pinpoint problems so they can be fixed, not to praise facilities for the good work they do.

Staff
There are certain members of the nursing homes staff you should be familiar with. The following list includes the people you need to know about and their typical job descriptions.
Administrative staff- handles paperwork and finances and includes Administator, Director of Admissions,
Director of Personnel, and Finance Director.
Medical Director- responsible for overseeing medical care for all residents.
Nursing Staff- includes Director of Nursing, Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), Registered Nurses (RNs), and nursing assistants or aides.
Therapist-occupational, physical, recreational and speech therapists.
Social Services Staff- help residents deal with emotional and social issues.
Activities Director- manages recreational activities.
Dietary Staff- handles nutritional needs. The Food Service Manager is in charge and dietary assistants per meal.

Evaluating the Facility
In general, you want to be sure that residents are treated with kindness and respect, that the facility is clean and cheerful, that the food is appetizing, and has variety, that the staff is available and friendlay, that residents seem well cared for (talk to some to find out), and that the place is as homey as possible and does not feel like a cold institution.
Warning signs include restraints used on the residents, unpleasant odors, and residents’ calls for assistance being ignored or put off, listless residents, a lack of privacy, and secrecy by the staff. Make sure you note handicapped access and clear markings on exits.
When evaluating a nursing home, you have to remember that its primary purpose is to provide medical and daily living care. A person who needs to be put in a nursing home is going to have reduced privacy and reduced independence.