To find a high-quality nursing home in Ventura County, it’s important to take the time to do your research. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.
Don’t Rush
Putting a loved one into a nursing home is a serious task and shouldn’t be rushed. But unfortunately, many hospitals discharge seniors directly to one of the nation’s 15,600 nursing homes, leaving little time for families to do careful research.
To avoid last-minute decisions, caregivers and the senior’s family members should research facilities in their area in advance. Government agencies, industry groups, and senior advocates across the country are great sources of accurate information.
Look through government records and be sure to conduct your own facility inspection before making a decision.
Narrow Your Search
If you look deep enough, you’ll find that some nursing homes have serious flaws. Some are short-staffed and serve unsavory, unhealthy food, while others are riddled with serious infections.
That’s why families, friends, and their loved ones should begin their search online as soon as possible.
Fortunately, when searching for a nursing home in Los Angeles, caregivers and family members of seniors don’t need to rifle through paper files at a state regulatory office. Much of the research can be done from a home computer.
Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare is a great government resource that uses star ratings from one to five and posts recent inspection documents. ProPublica’s Nursing Home Inspect is another great source of information about nursing homes, including the unredacted portions of government reports, which help put rankings in perspective.
Nonprofit websites are another resource that can help identify the best nursing homes. These sites are committed to the welfare of elderly individuals and are transparent about their recommendations.
When searching for a nursing home in Ventura County, visit Total Senior or give us a call to access a database of pre-vetted homes. We keep a close eye on local nursing homes so family members and caregivers can focus on making the right decision.
Choose A Nursing Home Close To Family Members
A nursing home that is far from the senior’s family and friends can make it difficult to visit. Choosing a highly-rated facility located near relatives and friends will ensure a nursing home resident has frequent visitors. In addition, staff will know that those visitors are paying close attention to the quality of care they’re providing.
Make An In-Person Visit
Nursing home websites can be deceptive, with carefully curated stock footage that doesn’t necessarily reflect the true condition of the home. An in-person visit is an absolute must.
When touring a nursing home in Ventura County, pay attention to the following:
- Residents’ grooming (hair, clothing, overall hygiene, etc.)
- Environment (sound level, atmosphere, and safety)
- Staff interaction with residents
Look At Detailed Ratings
The final step in searching for a nursing home is to look through the entire rating report to see how the overall rating is determined. Some nursing homes manage to obtain an overall 5-star rating from Medicare but only have a one- or two-star rating for staffing levels, which is a serious red flag.
Be aware that these ratings aren’t 100% accurate and conditions can change pretty quickly. Read recent reviews from family members of residents for insider information about the nursing home and staff.
