A stressful event for a senior, such as a fall, a surgery or a rapid decline in health, often leaves family members with the difficult decision of choosing nursing home care.

Thinking about this scenario might leave you wondering how you can prepare to make such a choice. The Good Samaritan Society is here to provide the help you need and give you peace of mind.

Karen Hatle, RN and director of professional practice and care management for the Good Samaritan Society, says the Care Compare site, formerly called Nursing Home Compare, can be helpful in choosing which long-term care location will best fit someone’s needs.

On the site, consumers can view ratings, surveys, health inspection results and staffing information for any nursing home in the country.

If you need more information, your physician or hospital discharge planner can often help answer questions about specific locations.

Karen says it can also be helpful to ask family and friends for their recommendations. The reputation a nursing home holds in the community can be a good indication of whether it’s the right fit for a loved one.

Tours give first-hand impression

If time allows, make arrangements to tour a few locations. Tours will give you a first-hand impression and help make your decision easier. If an in-person tour isn’t feasible, virtual tours are oftentimes available.

During either type of tour, pay attention to whether residents are well-groomed and content. Take notice of how they interact with each other and the staff. Do staff members greet you and answer your questions? Does the atmosphere feel warm and friendly?

Karen says if you notice bad smells, residents who look unclean or staff arguments, those are good indications that quality care and customer service might be lacking.

Questions to ask

As you tour, there are important things to ask before making your final decision.

Find out if there are concerns with staffing. Karen says that during the pandemic, there likely will be. Ask about the ratio of nurses and other staff members to residents on all shifts.

Also ask what activities and other resources, such as a chaplain, are available to residents. Find out what a daily routine is like for residents. Many nursing homes provide person-centered care planned around their likes and dislikes.

Lastly, find out if physicians or nurse practitioners visit the building to do rounds or if telehealth is an option.

Find the right place

The Society has close to 100 years of experience in long-term care. The organization is built on faith and family. And, as a part of Sanford Health, we’re connected to a large health care system with clinical specialties to enhance the care we provide.

Karen says Society nurses have strong skills to meet the complex clinical needs of residents while helping them feel cared for, loved and valued.