Choosing a Arizona Nursing Home
Important Information for Families Considering Placing a Loved One in a Arizona Nursing Home
Solomon & Relihan, Phoenix Medical Malpractice Attorney, has compiled a short list of things to consider when placing a loved on into a Arizona nursing home or nursing home care facility.
Tips on Researching Arizona Nursing Homes
Aside from the cost of care, in order to obtain quality care, gather many pieces of information about the nursing home you are considering. By evaluating a Arizona nursing home in this matter, you will achieve a more accurate picture than if you relied on only a single piece of information. Nursing home care in Arizona should be your number one priority when selecting the right facility for your loved one.
Arizona Nursing Home Cost & Location
Although Arizona nursing home cost & location may be important in selecting a nursing home, they should not be the primary consideration. Not all Arizona nursing homes are created equal and the quality of the care given is of major importance.
Nursing Home Ratings
You may learn about a Arizona nursing home from a hospital caseworker, a friend or relative. However, you should not rely on any one recommendation. A nursing home that may have delivered good care last year may not deliver good care this year. The ownership may have changed, the management may have changed, or the management philosophy may have changed.
Remember, quality nursing home care is a moving target and your placement decision must be based on as current information as possible. Know as much as you can about a nursing home you are considering to prevent your loved one from becoming a victim of nursing home neglect and abuse.
State Ombudsman
Every state has an Ombudsman office that has paid employees and volunteers that visit nursing homes to attempt to resolve disputes between the nursing home and its residents and families. That office may have valuable information and opinions about the nursing homes you are considering. In the Phoenix area, you can reach the Ombudsman at The Area Agency on Aging (602-264-2255).
Make an appointment to visit with the Ombudsman in person and ask your questions face to face, rather than inquiring over the telephone. You are more likely to get a clearer picture by personalizing your visit.
Public Information
- Medicare - All nursing homes receiving Medicare payments are subject to annual inspections by the State Department of Health Services.
Medicare has a website called “nursing home compare,” located at this website: www.medicare.gov/nhcompare/home.asp. This site will enable you to look at the track record of each nursing home based upon a limited set of standards. It provides information about nursing homes and permits you to compare various nursing homes on various care issues. Please note that this site contains dated material and is not complete, but it is a good beginning in your search.
- The Arizona State Department of Health Services - The Arizona State Department of Health Services keeps a file on every nursing home in the State. You should visit their offices at 150 North 18th Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona (602-542-1001), and view the public file.
The public file should contain the results of the current surveys conducted by the Department. It should also contain the results of any complaint investigations, stating the nature of the complaint and the outcome.
- National Coalition for Nursing Home Reform - The National Coalition for Nursing Home Reform is an organization that can provide you with information about nursing home Care. (www.nccnhr.org)
Nursing Home Visits
Visit the Arizona nursing home facility at least twice – once announced and again unannounced. Visit first thing in the morning when the residents are being awakened, dressed and taken to breakfast. This is usually the busiest time for nursing home staff and residents within the home.
Unannounced nursing home visits should be Sunday afternoon/evening when families customarily visit. You should introduce yourself to family members of other residents and ask for their evaluation of the home.
If you suspect your friend or family member is a victim of Arizona nursing home neglect and abuse, take immediate action by reporting your concerns to the proper nursing home regulation authorities and contact Solomon & Relihan, Phoenix Arizona Medical Malpractice Attorney, for further advice.