Senior News Line: Finding a nursing home

Choosing a nursing home isn’t easy, even in the best of circumstances. Whether it’s for you or a spouse, or for your parents, for now or for later, there are things you need to know and red flags to beware of.

When you want accurate information, you have to consider the sources you use. Ask friends and family for recommendations or warnings about local facilities.

Go online to the National Institute on Aging at www.nia.nih.gov and search for nursing homes and long-term care facilities. Print out their Medicare Nursing Home Checklist and take it with you to each facility.

Check the Medicare Compare tool at www.medicare.gov/care-compare for local facilities. Call the Eldercare Locator, at 800-677-1116, run by the U.S. Administration on Aging.

Look for online news stories and reviews about any facility you consider. Visits to the facilities you are considering are a must.

Whether it’s daytime appointments with a member of staff or sudden visits at night, what you see can be revealing. Try to time at least one surprise visit at mealtime.

Is the food appetizing? Will it encourage seniors to eat? Are there low-sodium options, as well as foods for lactose intolerant residents?

Try to talk to staff that actively work with the residents and ask questions. Ask about the staff/resident ratio, the turnover rate and the level of training given to staff.

How did they do during the COVID pandemic, as well as with other illnesses? Does the facility look and smell clean?

Find out about cost — do they accept Medicare? — social and recreation activities for residents, physical therapy and use of psychiatric drugs.

If anyone doesn’t want to answer your questions, consider it a red flag.

Don’t wait until the last minute to choose a nursing home. This is not a decision to make quickly.

Start now to get a handle on the facilities near you; you’ll be many steps ahead when the need arises.