Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home for Your Loved Ones

When the time comes to select a nursing home for your loved one, you want to make sure you find the best facility possible. This process involves a great deal of research. It requires you to know what questions are most important to ask and what factors you should evaluate before reaching a final decision.

Some of the things to consider when choosing a nursing home include:

• Services that are provided on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis
• What fees are charged for services
• The most recent inspection report that details how well the nursing home meets federal health and safety requirements
• Any federal or state surveys that have been conducted recently
• How many beds are available and if there is a waiting list
• The number of staff members working – overall and on each shift
• Information about existing residents, such as their conditions and length of stay
• If the facility is certified by Medicare/Medicaid
• Satisfaction of residents, family members and staff (try to talk to people directly when possible)
• Any policies residents must follow
• What kind of security is available
• Accreditation by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)
• If the facility is certified and the people working there are licensed

This list is not comprehensive, but it gives you a good starting place as you begin your research. As you can see, there are many factors to consider when choosing a nursing home. Once you’ve chosen the nursing home that is the best fit for you and your family, an attorney can review the agreement and ensure it is written to address your needs.

Your Legal Plan Can Help

If you are enrolled in a group legal plan, you have access to an attorney who can help. Many of Hyatt’s group legal plans cover document review and consultations for a variety of elder care issues, such as Medicare/Medicaid, prescription plans, nursing home agreements, leases, notes, deeds, wills and powers of attorney.

• If your employer offers a Hyatt legal plan, click here to learn more about coverage available when you enroll. (Your employer can provide the password needed to access this site.) If you are unsure whether your employer offers a Hyatt legal plan, please contact your benefits or HR department to find out.

• If you are a legal plan member, access your plan to review coverage.

• You may also call the Client Service Center at 800-821-6400 for more information on covered services.

Please note: Some matters, including employment-related matters, are excluded. View terms of service.

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