The Challenge of Choosing
By: State: California | Source: AARP.org
One of the toughest decisions a family member can face is choosing the right care facility for an ailing or elderly loved one. When conducting research about nursing homes, it is helpful to know how the facilities fared during their recent inspections, especially with regard to deficiencies or complaints. California offers several different online sites to help with your search for the best care facility.
At California Nursing Home Search, friends and family have access to detailed information on more than 1,400 nursing homes in the state. Developed by the California HealthCare Foundation, the site provides information on the primary quality factors experts say should be considered in selecting a nursing home: staffing levels, clinical performance measures, complaint and deficiency ratings, staff wages, and percent of total expenditures spent on care.
The California Association of Nursing Home Reform (CANHR) also offers a "How to Choose a Nursing Home" guide that includes a nursing home evaluation checklist to take with you as you visit different facilities.
The California Department of Health Care posts your rights as a resident in a nursing home including tips on choosing a nursing home. The packet advises you to examine the department’s most recent inspection report of the homes (which are required to post the reports in an easily accessible place.)
For more information about nursing homes in California, contact the California Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program or call the State CRISIS-line number, 1-800-231-4024.
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