Choosing a nursing home for a loved one is one of the most difficult decisions a family can make. You want a place that offers not only medical care and daily assistance, but also safety, dignity, and compassion. With troubling stories of nursing home neglect and abuse making headlines, it’s understandable to feel anxious or overwhelmed. Fortunately, there are clear steps you can take to ensure the facility you choose is safe, well-staffed, and aligned with your loved one’s needs.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through what to look for in a nursing home, how to evaluate facilities, and the key signs that a nursing home prioritizes safety and quality care.
Step 1: Understand Your Loved One’s Needs
Before researching facilities, it’s important to clearly define what your loved one needs. Consider the following:
- Do they require 24/7 medical supervision, or just help with daily activities like dressing and bathing?
- Are they living with dementia or Alzheimer’s?
- Do they need physical therapy or have special dietary requirements?
Understanding these needs will help you focus on facilities equipped to provide the right level of care.
Step 2: Start With Licensed, Certified Facilities
Make sure the nursing homes on your list are licensed and certified by the state and federally regulated through Medicare or Medicaid. You can verify this using resources like:
- Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare tool: https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/
- Your state’s Department of Health or Aging Services
These resources let you compare inspection reports, staff ratios, and past violations.
Step 3: Visit in Person (More Than Once)
An in-person visit is critical for assessing a facility’s safety, cleanliness, and overall environment. When you visit:
Look for:
- Clean, odor-free spaces — foul odors can signal poor hygiene or infection control
- Proper lighting, handrails, and accessible bathrooms
- Residents who appear clean, well-dressed, and engaged
Talk to:
- Staff members — are they polite and responsive?
- Other families — are they satisfied with the level of care?
Visit at different times:
Try visiting both during the day and in the evening. Sometimes understaffing or lack of supervision becomes more apparent during off-peak hours.
Step 4: Ask the Right Questions
Don’t be afraid to ask detailed questions. A good facility will welcome them.
Important questions include:
- What is your staff-to-resident ratio during the day and at night?
- How do you handle medical emergencies?
- What training does your staff receive on elder care and abuse prevention?
- How often are care plans reviewed and updated?
- How do you manage residents with dementia or memory loss?
If staff hesitate to answer or provide vague responses, consider it a red flag.
Step 5: Review Inspection Reports and Ratings
Nursing homes are regularly inspected for compliance with safety and care standards. You can request the most recent inspection report directly from the facility or find it online through Medicare’s website.
Look for:
- Any citations or violations related to abuse, neglect, or staffing shortages
- Infection control issues (especially important post-COVID-19)
- Frequent or serious complaints filed by residents or family members
Facilities with repeated or unresolved violations may not be safe, no matter how polished their appearance.
Step 6: Pay Attention to Staff Stability and Turnover
High staff turnover is often a warning sign. It may indicate poor management, low morale, or staffing shortages, all of which can affect resident care. Ask how long key staff members (nurses, CNAs, administrators) have worked at the facility.
A stable, experienced staff is more likely to know residents personally and notice changes in their behavior or health, which helps prevent neglect or abuse.
Step 7: Observe How Residents Are Treated
Perhaps the most telling sign of a safe nursing home is how staff interact with residents. Do they treat them with respect and patience? Or are they rushed, dismissive, or harsh?
Look for:
- Residents being gently assisted, not handled roughly
- Staff using residents’ names, maintaining eye contact, and listening
- Residents participating in activities or socializing, not left sitting alone for long periods
This human element speaks volumes about the culture and values of the facility.
Step 8: Check for Abuse Prevention Policies
Ask about the nursing home’s policies and procedures related to abuse prevention and reporting. A reputable facility should:
- Have a clear abuse reporting protocol
- Conduct thorough background checks on all staff
- Provide ongoing training on abuse prevention and elder rights
- Encourage family involvement and feedback
Facilities that prioritize transparency and accountability tend to provide safer environments.
Step 9: Monitor After Placement
Even after your loved one moves into a facility, continue to monitor their condition and care.
- Visit frequently and at varying times
- Ask your loved one about their experience
- Watch for warning signs like bruises, weight loss, emotional withdrawal, or changes in hygiene
- Keep open communication with staff and administrators
If something feels off, trust your instincts and don’t hesitate to advocate on your loved one’s behalf.
Choosing a nursing home is about more than amenities or appearances. It’s about trusting a facility with your loved one’s safety and well-being. By doing your research, asking the right questions, and staying actively involved, you can make a confident, informed decision.
If you ever suspect your loved one is being mistreated or neglected in a nursing home, don’t wait. The experienced attorneys at PKSD help New Mexico nursing home abuse victims and their families secure compensation.