Denver, Colorado Nursing Homes - Ten Points to Consider When Selecting a Facility
In selecting a Denver, Colorado Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF), you are deciding how someone you love will live for the next few months or years. In our experience, these ten considerations are important, if not crucial, when selecting a Skilled Nursing Facility.
- Approach a Prospective Nursing Facility with a Positive Attitude
Despite the horror stories that provide fodder for the evening news, most people who work in nursing facilities are professionals who take pride in their work. Of course, some facilities are better than others, and that is why you are evaluating more than one. - Do Not Confuse SNF Care with Colorado Assisted Living
Do not be shocked or upset by the fact that you will see some nursing home residents who are very ill, often mentally as well as physically. You are looking for quality of care. If your family member is more alert and needs a quiet room, be sure to discuss this with the person showing you the facility. The residents in the assisted living facility may look healthier, but that kind of facility may not be able to provide the level of care and supervision by licensed nurses that is provided by a skilled nursing facility. - Location, Location, Location
As with any place you live, location is crucial. A very important factor in receiving quality SNF care is family involvement. Therefore, try to find a facility that is convenient for the family to visit. - Conduct Your Own Inspections
Find the most convenient facilities and check each one three times as follows:
First Visit: Go in during business hours, tour the facility, meet the Administrator, Director of Nurses (DON), and social worker, read the survey report, and ask questions. If this is a short term admission for physical rehabilitation, talk to the therapy department as well. Find out how each shift is staffed (registered nurses, licensed vocational/practical nurses, certified nursing assistants, uncertified staff) so that you can compare among facilities. Although there is usually a specific regulatory requirement for nursing hours per day (i.e., 3.5 hours per day of nursing care per patient), different facilities may allocate this differently between nursing shifts and some may exceed the minimum to a greater extent than others.Second Visit: Go in during the evening meal and observe interaction between CNAs and residents. Pay particular attention to residents who need encouragement with meals. Are they receiving it? Are the patients dressed appropriately for the time and season?
Third Visit: Go in on the weekend. Talk to family members visiting other residents about their experiences with the facility. Look to see if there are activities. Ask to speak to the nurse in charge on the weekend and find out how long he or she has worked there. Get a general feeling for the place during a busy day shift when the higher level administrative staff people are not there. Are the staff members interacting with residents or talking over residents’ heads to each other?
- Will Your Loved One’s Special Needs be Accommodated?
If your family member is a fussy eater, ask about how often the dietician visits and how much flexibility is available with the planned menus. If he or she has Alzheimer’s, find out about any special programs as well as what safeguards are in place to prevent wandering. If your loved one speaks English as a second language, ask if there are any staff members who speak your family member’s primary language.
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