NURSING HOME QUICK TIPS LIST

2. Staff

Look & listen to observe the following:

• Is the staff well-groomed and dressed professionally and appropriately?
• How does the staff interact with patients and visitors?
• Does staff seem friendly, caring, patient, polite and helpful?
• Do they seem happy?
• Does the care staff seem to work well with each other?
• Is staff polite and courteous or are they complaining to each other?
• Is the interaction between management and the care staff positive?
• When you ask questions, does management seem forthcoming or are they hesitant to answer? Do they seem agitated or aggravated?

3. Patients

Look, listen, & smell to observe the following:

Note: Do not go into any patient’s room without the expressed permission of the patient and the staff. Please respect the privacy of the patients. Are the patients that you see groomed and clean? (shaven, nails trimmed and dressed appropriately)

• Do you smell any strong odors coming from the patients?
• Do patients seem to be receiving attention by staff if needed?
• Are the patients that are more active and social involved in any activities?
• Do they seem to be enjoying their interaction with staff?

4. Dining & Food

Look, listen, smell and taste to observe what is going on in the dining room and kitchen.

Tour the nursing home during meal time and ask if you may dine. Look for food choices. Look at and listen to how the staff interacts with the patients during meal time. Food is one of the most important aspects of patient satisfaction. Look for a nursing home that treats this standard very seriously.

• Is the food attractively served?
• Is the food served at an appropriate temperature?
• Is the food tasty?
• Do residents seem to like the food being served?
• Is there enough staff to assist patients who need help eating?
• Ask if you can see the kitchen and talk to the dietitian.
• Do they seem to be enjoying their interaction with staff?

Here are a few ways you can evaluate the facility’s standards for skilled care while you are on your tour.

• Does the nursing home have a current license?
• Does the administrator have a current license?
• Is the nursing home Medicare-Medicaid certified?
• What is the RN/LPN to patient ratio for day, evening and night?
• What is the nurse aide to patient ratio for day, evening and night?
• Are there onsite therapy programs where patients are receiving therapy?
• Does the nursing home have special programs where staff have been specifically trained to take care of such care issues as Alzheimer’s or wound care?
• Do you see any evidence of such programs and care taking place?