10 Key Questions to Ask When Touring a Skilled Nursing Facility

Moving your elderly parent to a skilled nursing facility is a significant life decision. Although you won’t be hard-pressed to find many credible retirement communities specifically catering to residents with special medical needs, you want to select the right one to look after your loved one. Learn 10 essential questions to ask when touring a skilled nursing facility.

1. What Medical Services Are Available On-Site?

Skilled nursing facilities offer different medical services to meet the unique needs of various senior residents. Some specialize in some services, while others provide amenities designed to treat the most common health conditions that aging adults live with.

Staff availability may limit the medical services a skilled nursing facility can offer. Some health care providers work full-time or part-time, while others only have specialists on call.

Find a facility to address your parents’ pressing medical needs on-site urgently. Understand your loved one’s specific health requirements to determine the amenities and health care professionals to look for.

2. What Activities Do You Provide for Residents?

Skilled nursing facilities offer a variety of activities to keep senior residents engaged physically, cognitively, socially and spiritually. Most facilitate aerobic exercises since adults aged 65 or older need at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity weekly. Some offer social clubs, classes, and intergenerational interaction opportunities, while others provide guided nature walks, wellness services and religious gatherings.

Think about your parent’s interests and needs to find the right match. You want them to live in a place that can satisfy their needs holistically and make each day feel fulfilling.

3. What Food Options Do You Provide?

Aging adults with chronic health problems have distinct dietary requirements. Make sure your parent eats healthy and receives their ideal nutrient intakes.

Many skilled nursing facilities offer restaurants on campus. These establishments welcome diners and give them a chance to socialize over breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Some sell grab-and-go snacks for residents who prefer to eat elsewhere.

Retirement communities also hire private chefs. These culinary professionals prepare hearty meals for residents and deliver the food straight to the door. They care about more than taste and presentation. They also value proper portion size and the food’s overall nutritional value.

4. What Is Your Staff-to-Resident Ratio Throughout the Day?

You want a skilled nursing facility with enough staff to give all residents adequate care and attention. Understaffed organizations may have too few employees to address the immediate needs of too many aging adults simultaneously.

A community with a high staff-to-resident ratio doesn’t inspire confidence and peace of mind. Entrusting your parent to staff members preoccupied with too many tasks can cause discomfort and jeopardize their health.

Ask your prospective skilled nursing facility about its resident population and daily staffing to know this figure. Staff members change between day and night, so find out how many health professionals are on duty throughout the day.

5. How Trained Are Your Employees in Managing Specific Health Conditions?

The right nursing home must have health care professionals with proper competency to meet your parent’s needs. You want a team of experts who can manage your loved one’s chronic illnesses correctly. They should practice care coordination to ensure seamless information sharing, clear communication between providers, continuity of care and active patient engagement.

Skilled nursing facilities also prioritize soft skills. Many train their employees to be patient, empathetic, and compassionate with residents. Talk with staff and administrators about their training programs and past experiences with residents with conditions similar to your parents’ to gauge how fit they are to look after your loved one 24/7.

6. How Do You Ensure the Safety of Residents?

Asking questions about safety protocols when touring a skilled nursing facility is necessary to feel assured that your loved one is in good hands. Retirement communities can be prone to natural disasters and other emergencies, so select a facility well equipped to handle high-stress situations.

Evaluate an organization’s emergency preparedness. Find out what it would do in different scenarios and verify whether it has the means to execute its plans.

Physical security is paramount. Some residents wander around and may leave the facility by accident, inadvertently putting themselves in danger. Learn how a nursing home prevents and handles such situations.

7. How Much Do You Involve Loved Ones in Care?

If you want to be directly involved in your parent’s care and other health decisions, find an organization that can accommodate your wishes.

Discuss with administrators how they will collaborate and what communication methods they will use to reach you. Some facilities make every effort to update directly involved loved ones daily.

8. What Are Your Costs?

Pricing among nursing homes can be tricky. Some companies disclose only a few costs, while others refuse to advertise charges completely.

Living in a retirement community can be expensive. The median monthly cost of a private room in a nursing home is $10,646 nationally, and that’s only accommodation. The price list should definitely be one of the things to look for when touring a nursing home.

Know every item a business bills to differentiate recurring, occasional and one-off costs. This information can help you create a manageable monthly budget and avoid going over it.

The best facilities reasonably have higher prices, although those that charge less can offer better value for money. A community that provides limited but relevant services to your parent’s needs can stretch your dollars and make every cent count.

Think with foresight. Explore added services that may inflate your bill in the future. Learn about the different payment options a company accepts to know how and where you can send the funds.

9. What Accreditations and Certifications Do You Have?

Legitimate nursing homes have the necessary credentials from relevant regulatory agencies and comply with municipal, state, and federal requirements. To become certified, those receiving Medicare and Medicaid payments must score well in Life Safety Code, Standard Health and Emergency Preparedness surveys.

The most decorated ones would market their accolades, listing their accreditations, certifications, recognitions and other accomplishments over the years.

Do your research and verify every claim. Go to government websites to verify licenses and other information about your prospective companies. Some credentials expire, so make sure they have done the minimum to keep their qualifications valid.

10. Is It OK to Speak With Some of Your Residents?

Nothing is more credible than firsthand testimonials. Talking with current residents and their families about the community can help dispel your doubts and answer your questions more honestly.

Know What to Look for When Touring a Nursing Home

A visit to a skilled nursing facility is more than just a casual tour. Interview the right people to make your trip as fruitful as possible.

 

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