Nursing Homes
Evaluate Your Needs
A number of personal and practical concerns may also affect your search for a nursing facility.
Location
The location of a particular facility may or may not be a concern for those seeking care. It is essential to discuss the issue of relocating with the potential resident, listen to the responses — and honor preferences if possible.
For many nursing home residents, having regular contact with family and friends outside the facility is their greatest single concern, so they want to stay in a familiar locale. Others relish the thought of moving closer to children or grandchildren, or because of dementia or chronic illness, need to live close to the family members or friends who will oversee their care, whether or not they have a community of other contacts there.
If the location of care and facilities is a concern, you can make most efficient use of the Web site by searching by ZIP Code to compare available options.
Demographics
Many people find it more comforting to be around those of similar demographics — age and medical condition. If this is an important concern, check out the information about residents provided on the facility profiles on this Web site.
Individual Needs
Consult the attending doctor, primary care physician, or other health care provider who is familiar with the individual to help assess his or her particular needs — and ask specifically about the types of facilities and services that would meet them.