Enrolling a loved one or a family member in a nursing home is a tough decision to make. You need to be assured that your loved one is safe and well taken cared off in that nursing home. The life of your family- mother, father or any family member, depends on this decision. Usually the situation when a nursing home is needed comes unexpectedly. There is little time to prepare for this need. In choosing a nursing home, you should be sure of your expectations for your loved one's new home.



1. Service Levels

Level 1

This service include basic household chores such as housekeeping or fixing of his or her room, doing the bed, laundry services, cooking of food and other chores.

Level 2

Service can include assisting the client to walk, bathing and toilet assistance, help on therapy and medical needs. An example of this is assistance to patients with dementia.

Level 3

These are given to clients who totally need assistance in almost every activity from helping with pain, physical feeding or more specialized therapies.

2. Check Twice, Buy Once

Before entering into a nursing home care program, make sure that you read the contract clearly and agree to everything that is said in the contract. Provisions on the contract will be made in coordination with the family members. All details of the contact should be in accordance to the law for the aged like the Aged Care Act. The execution of the contract should be made clear to all the staff of the nursing home.

3. Special Considerations

- See the whole place

Do not decide unless you made a tour of the whole facility. Visit the nursing home at different times so you can see the different shifts. Examine if they have enough staff at all times. You should be satisfied with your loved one's new home before you leave him or her there.

- Check their services

Are the facilities complete? Are the nurses sincere, warm and friendly? Were the staff in high morale and satisfied with their jobs? Is there enough one-on-one service between nurse and patient? You need to be sure that the nurses are happy with their jobs because if not, this will reflect on their service to all the elderly including your loved one.

- Satisfaction with their services

Once you have thoroughly observed their facilities and services, try to assess if you are satisfied with what they are offering. It is important that you are totally convinced that they will do a good job in taking care of your loved one.

- Prices of services

Ask for a copy of their price list with a brief description of each service they offer.

- Smell around the facility

Check out the entire place if there is some unpleasant smell or any distinctive odor present inside or outside the facility. Try to investigate about it.

- Peace and Quiet

What is the level of sound around the whole facility? Is silence maintained in and around the place? Find out how each staff communicates with one another particularly in their hall ways.

- Sanitation

Sanitation is very important. Floors should be clean with no spills of any kind. Toilets, bathroom, kitchen, etc. should be regularly sanitized. Clean uniform or clothes should always be worn by their staff.

- Illumination

There must be proper illumination in rooms, hallways and other areas of the facility. Poor lighting can cause accidents especially during night time.

- Meal schedule

Monitor their mealtime. Observe if the residents appear content with the meals being served for them. Check their menu and find out if there are available choices of meals for the residents. Posters about choking should be made visible around their eating area as a reminder. Help should always be available for any problem or difficulty that may arise from the residents.

- Proper Temperature

Just the right temperature should always be maintained in the facility. Air conditioners should not be blowing directly on residents. Keeping residents comfortable should always be their priority.

- Privacy

A place where you can visit your loved one in private is also something to consider. Their staff should also freely discuss patient care within hearing reach of residents and visitors. Knocking before entering a resident's room should also be observed at all times.