Follow-up Visits

You should visit the nursing homes on your list as many additional times as you think necessary. Make sure that you see the home at least once in the evening and on a weekend because staffing and care giving is frequently different at these times. You may want to take the time to get a copy of the nursing home's admission or contract agreements.

Every nursing home should have an admission contract or agreement. Read them carefully. They should not have any statements that make residents give up their rights. Resident rights are described in Chapter 8.

Also, it would be helpful if your follow-up visit included attending a meeting of the nursing home's resident council or family council. Resident and family councils lay an active role in promoting quality of life for nursing home residents. Ask if you may attend a meeting or read the minutes from a meeting. They could give you a point of view from the nursing home staff and a closer look at the concerns of the residents or their families.

After your follow-up visits, if it is still difficult to decide upon a nursing home, call the Ombudsman and the other people who provided you with information and help in the past. If you have any additional questions, do not hesitate to contact or visit the nursing home again.

It is possible that more than one nursing home will be a good choice, but you now should have enough information to be confident that you are making a well-informed choice.

After Admission

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