Evaluating a Nursing Home

When you visit a nursing home, look for its license.

Standards governing the operation of a nursing home are set and governed by federal law. These standards intend to assure the highest possible quality of care and most meaningful quality of life for all residents in nursing homes.

Standards cover a range of requirements including but not limited to residents rights, clinical services (including nursing, dietary, medical and rehabilitation services, for example) and administrative (including quality assurance and the physical environmental, for example)

Look for the latest state survey (inspection report of how The home met the standards set by code.

What is a Survey???

All nursing homes that are certified to participate in the Medicare or Medicaid programs are visited by a team of trained State surveyors approximately once a year.

These surveyors (like inspectors) examine the home over several days and inspect the performance of the nursing home in numerous areas - including quality of life and quality of care.

At the conclusion of the survey, the team reports its findings. Nursing homes with deficiencies are subject to fines and other penalties if they are nor corrected.

In New York State, the Department of Health has the responsibility to monitor quality of care in nursing homes.

State surveyors inspect each New York State Nursing Home every nine to 15 months. Surveyors interview residents, review residents records, inspect the premises and assess compliance with state and federal standards.

I really hope this article has helped you in explaining and showing you the different seniors housing options that are available. If you still have any unanswered questions, don't forget to send me your questions by going to the Ask Jodee section.

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