New Tool Can Help Choose Right Nursing Home Care
Source: AARP.org | February 8, 2006
Families in search of the right nursing home care for their loved ones will now have access to information that will enable them to compare different facilities. The Minnesota Department of Health and Governor Tim Pawlenty recently unveiled the state's first nursing home report card, a Web-based tool that rates Minnesota's 396 nursing homes.
You can search for a facility by geographic location, or rank which qualities you deem important, such as direct care staff level, staff turnover rates, or resident satisfaction. The system will show you the number of stars for each quality measure, and the state average. Every home has been given up to five stars in each of eight quality measures, including inspections and quality of care and a quality of life survey among more than one-third of all residents. AARP Minnesota was a key advocate in the creation of this tool, and will convene focus groups this year to suggest ways to improve it.
"We support this effort as a way to give facilities incentives to provide the highest quality of care possible," said State Director Michele Kimball. "Consumers want and need good information to make the right decision for their family."
This report card is just one of the many tools that AARP recommends when choosing a facility.
Kimball also recommends other sources as well as visiting the nursing homes being considered, and discussing your options with family members and meeting staff members of the facility.
Medicare also offers comparison information.
For more information about nursing homes in Minnesota, you can also contact the state's ombudsman for older residents at (651)296-0382.
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