When a loved one needs a nursing home, whether it’s for a temporary stay or permanent residency, you want to ensure they receive the best possible care. A nursing home provides 24-hour nursing care for individuals who can no longer be cared for at home. This can be an overwhelming decision, but there are many resources available to help you make an informed choice.
Where to Begin Your Search
Start by talking to people you trust. Friends, family, doctors, neighbors, or clergy members who have experience with nursing homes can provide valuable insights and recommendations. In addition to personal referrals, there are several excellent online tools to help with your research.
Helpful Online Resources
- Nursing Home Compare: This resource from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid provides detailed information on every Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing home in the country. It uses a star-rating system from 1 to 5 and includes recent inspection reports.
- Nursing Home Survey Performance Tool: Created by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, this tool offers specific information on the adequacy of staffing, quality of care, and cleanliness of nursing homes within Massachusetts.
- ProPublica’s Nursing Home Inspect: This project from a nonprofit investigative news outlet provides more detailed data, including unredacted government reports, to give you a comprehensive view of a facility’s performance.
What to Do After Your Online Research
Once you have a list of potential facilities, the next crucial step is to visit them in person. A visit will give you a sense of the nursing home’s atmosphere, the cleanliness of the facility, and how the staff interacts with residents. While you are there, take the opportunity to speak with current residents and their families to hear about their experiences firsthand.
Professional Help in Massachusetts
If you need further assistance evaluating a nursing home in Massachusetts, there are professionals who can help guide you through the process:
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program: An ombudsman is an advocate who regularly visits nursing homes and assisted living facilities. They are a great resource for residents to voice complaints and for families to get information about choosing a facility and ensuring quality care. You can call them at (800) 243-4636 to connect with a local ombudsman.
- Geriatric Care Manager: These professionals can evaluate your loved one’s specific situation and create a care plan. This includes helping the family find long-term residential care options. Most geriatric care managers charge by the hour, and their services are typically an out-of-pocket expense as they are not usually covered by insurance or Medicare.