By: Theresa Geenty, Director of Customer Relations, Bon Secours New York Health System
When considering a nursing care facility, you and your loved one will most likely narrow down your search to a few that you wish to tour. Touring nursing care facilities is extremely important, and helps you learn more about the care they provide and what amenities they offer. Rather than relying on the website, brochure information, and other secondary resources, in-depth, personal tours of the prospective care centers is the best way to get a feel for the facilities, quality of care provided, and the nature of its environment.
Before attending tours, it is vital to narrow down your list of facilities and make appointments to tour your top facilities, based on features that are most important to you and/or your loved one. Some important factors you may want to consider are location, price or payment options, availability, and necessary amenities or services. Quality of care is extremely important when considering nursing home options. All nursing homes across the United States are rated on quality by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. You can look up any nursing home on the Nursing Home Compare website of CMS to gather this information and help further target your tours: http://1.usa.gov/LA2TCv . It is also helpful to have your love one’s medical information (PRI form) forwarded to the admissions department, if it is available, prior to your tour, to make sure that they are medically appropriate for the care center. This allows the staff member to show you a unit that you’re your loved ones needs.
When you arrive at the various facilities for your tour, in addition to keeping the above factors in mind, here are a few important questions you should ask yourself and/or your tour guide, to maximize the efficiency of the tour:
- Is the facility located in a safe area, nearby family members or friends? Does the facility have easily accessible public transportation, an easy commute, or access to major highways?
- Is the facility clean, cheerful, well lit, and at a comfortable room temperature?
- Is there an odor or medicinal smell in the facility?
- Are residents dressed in their own clothing? Do they appear clean and well-groomed?
- Is laundry done in-house, or does the facility use an outside service?
- Does the facility provide the level of care your loved one requires?
- Are there special care units available if care needs change?(i.e. dementia, palliative care, sub-acute care)
- Are there stimulating, age appropriate activities available on a regular basis?
- Does the facility provide services to meet your loved one’s spiritual needs?
- Are speech, physical and/or occupational therapy provided if needed?
- Will the facility assist in applying for Medicaid?
- Is there a resident council that meets regularly? Is there an active family/friend council?
- What hospitals are affiliated with the nursing home?
- Is the food tasty and visually appealing?
- Are special dietary needs met?
- What items are allowed to be brought from home?
- What are the visiting hours?
- Are children and pets allowed to visit?
- Are there opportunities for socialization and to participate in activities and hobbies?
- Can I see results of satisfaction surveys?
- Will the facility honor and respect your wishes regarding end-of-life care?
We understand that transitioning yourself or your loved one into a nursing care facility can be a stressful process and a difficult decision, which is one of the many reasons we are here to help you make the process easier. Our staff at Schervier Nursing Care Center guides you and your family through the process of application, provides education on our facility, and offers full tours of the campus to help assure you that the best decision is being made. If you are considering Schervier Nursing Care Center, we encourage you to contact our Admissions Office at (718) 884-5100, and let us help you schedule a tour.
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