KFOR-TV: How to Choose a Quality Nursing Home
Choosing a nursing home for a loved one that provides quality care is a very important decision that requires some research.
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Choosing a nursing home for an elder loved one is one of the most difficult decisions families face. When an aging parent’s health declines to the point that care at home is no longer manageable, finding a facility that provides safe, compassionate and high-quality care becomes critical. While the process can feel overwhelming, doing some careful research can help you find a good nursing home – and avoid a bad one.
Start with a referral list: Begin by identifying nursing homes in your area that have a solid reputation. Good referral sources include your local Area Agency on Aging (call 800-677-1116 or visit Eldercare.acl.gov), your loved one’s physician or a hospital discharge planner, and friends or neighbors who have had experience with nursing homes.
Another essential resource is Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare tool. This online tool helps you locate facilities near you and provides a five-star rating system based on health inspections, staffing levels, quality of care and overall performance. While no rating system is perfect, this information can help you narrow your choices.
Location also matters. Facilities close to family and friends tend to provide better care because residents who receive frequent visits are often more closely monitored and better advocated for.
Call the long-term care ombudsman: Every state has a long-term care ombudsman – a government official who investigates complaints and advocates for nursing home residents and their families. An ombudsman can tell you whether a facility has a history of serious complaints or ongoing problems and may suggest better options. To find your local ombudsman, visit LTCombudsman.org.
Contact facilities directly: Once you’ve narrowed your list, call the nursing homes to confirm they can meet your loved one’s medical and personal care needs. Ask whether they have openings, what their daily rates are, and whether they accept Medicaid. This step can quickly eliminate facilities that aren’t a practical fit.
Tour your top choices: Visiting a nursing home in person is essential. Pay attention to cleanliness, odors and overall atmosphere. Does the facility feel welcoming? Do staff members seem attentive, respectful and engaged with residents?
Try to visit more than once – at different times of day and on different days of the week – to get a more accurate picture of daily life. If possible, taste the food, speak with residents and family members, and observe how staff interact during meals or activities.
Be sure to ask about staff screening and training, staff-to-resident ratios, and turnover rates, which can affect quality of care. Medicare offers a helpful checklist of questions you can print and take with you.
Understanding how to pay for care: Cost is often a major concern. Nursing home care in Oklahoma now averages about $6,850 per month for a semi-private room and $8,100 per month for a private room.
Medicare provides limited coverage, paying for up to 100 days of skilled nursing care following a hospital stay of at least three days, and only if rehabilitative care is needed. Most nursing home residents pay for care from either personal savings, a long-term care insurance policy, or through Medicaid once their savings are depleted. Or, if your loved one is a veteran, he or she may be able to 
get funds through the VA’s Aid and Attendance benefit.
To learn more about the payment options, ask the nursing home director. You can also get help from your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP), which provides free counseling on all Medicare and Medicaid issues. And for more detailed information, see Medicare’s booklet “Your Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home.”