When it was time for William* to transition to a nursing home, he couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed. Not only was he leaving everything he knew, but he had many questions—the most significant being: “How do I know we’re choosing the right situation for me and my needs?” Thankfully, William had more than his fair share of loved ones on his side. That included his daughter and son-in-law. Both agreed this was a big decision and suggested they visit multiple nursing homes over several weeks to ease decision-making and ensure William felt comfortable.
If William’s story brings up a few feelings about your situation regarding nursing homes or assisted living facilities, please know you’re not alone. Many seniors and older adults feel overwhelmed by the options available. Compounding the problem is general confusion about what to expect, what to look for, and how to make the best decision possible.
Have You Found Yourself Asking These Questions About Nursing Homes?
- What level of care do I need?
- How much will it cost, and will my insurance or Medicare cover it?
- What is the staff-to-resident ratio?
- Are the staff trained to handle specific health conditions (e.g., dementia, mobility issues)?
- Is the facility clean, safe, and well-maintained?
- What activities and social programs are offered?
- Can I bring personal belongings or furniture?
- How are medical emergencies handled?
- What happens if my care needs change over time?
- Are there private or shared rooms, and can I choose?
- Is the location convenient for my family to visit?
The good news is that visiting multiple nursing homes and assisted living facilities will ultimately provide answers to these and many other questions you or your loved ones might have. Whether you want to get started today or later this week, this guide will provide all the essentials to help you stay informed.
Visiting Multiple Nursing Homes Makes a Difference
When you are looking for new household furniture, tiles for the kitchen, or even the perfect Christmas gift for a loved one, you don’t always choose from the first store you visit. It’s more likely that you take your time, visit several locations that have what you’re looking for, inspect the products to gauge your interest, and keep “shopping around” until you find exactly what makes you happy. The same is true when it comes to a nursing home or assisted living facility. Sure, you could find everything you need and want in one visit, but more often than not, older adults and their family members take comfort in visiting several nursing homes in their area.
According to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) data, in July 2022, approximately 1.2 million people resided in more than 15,000 certified nursing homes. Most nursing homes in the United States are certified to serve as both skilled nursing facilities, which provide a clinically managed recovery period after a person’s illness or injury, and long-term care facilities that deliver health care and services a resident may need for mental or physical conditions not rising to the level of skilled nursing care. Visiting several of these establishments provides invaluable first-hand insight unavailable through brochures, online reviews, or a visit to a single location.
This is your chance to tour the facility, observe interactions between staff and residents, and gauge a comfort level with everything from the dining areas to the bedrooms and property grounds. It’s also a perfect time to ask specific questions that can address strengths and weaknesses that aren’t immediately obvious.
According to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) data, in July 2022, approximately 1.2 million people resided in more than 15,000 certified nursing homes.
Here are a few additional ways visiting multiple nursing homes can help ease decision-making:
- Compare atmospheres — Each nursing home or assisted living facility has a unique feel. Visiting several of them allows you to gauge whether the environment is warm, welcoming, and makes you feel at home.
- Assess cleanliness and safety — Cleanliness and maintenance standards are crucial with all nursing homes, and the odds are high that you won’t find problems on any of your visits. That said, an in-person visit reveals whether the facility’s level of care meets your expectations.
- Meet the staff — Engaging with them can help you evaluate their professionalism, compassion, and expertise in addressing residents’ needs and making them feel like extended family surrounds them.
- Clarify costs and services — Many costs and services cannot be determined through a brochure or website. Visiting multiple nursing homes ensures no misunderstandings about pricing, what’s included, and how changes in care needs may affect future expenses.
- Ensure family access — How restrictive or unrestrictive certain nursing homes are makes a difference. You can assess how easy it will be for loved ones to visit regularly and stay connected.
- Observe resident life — You’ll get a clearer picture of daily activities, social programs, and the general well-being of current residents. You could even visit with residents and learn their thoughts.
Additional Tips for Getting the Most Out of Visiting Nursing Homes
- Bring a checklist — Use the questions above to ensure you cover all bases during your visit. This simple exercise gives you a better feel for which facility checks your most important boxes.
- Take notes — Beyond the checklist, document your impressions of each facility. This will help you compare options later when discussing everything with your family and friends.
- Ask for a tour — You likely won’t have to ask for one. Most nursing homes are happy to show you around and answer any questions you may have.
- Visit at different times — Don’t think you can only visit a nursing home once. Touring nursing homes at different times of the day can provide a more comprehensive picture of daily routines and staffing levels. Visiting at different times of the day and on different days also helps to determine if staff members of multiple shifts meet your standards for daytime, evening, nighttime, weekday vs weekend support.
- Consider using an ombudsman — Older adults in nursing homes and assisted living facilities should live out their later years with dignity and respect in a safe environment. Long-Term Care Ombudsmen serve as advocates for the 16,000 residents living in Dallas County facilities. Program staff at The Senior Source also advocate for legislative change relevant to long-term care residents and serve as a resource for seniors and their families searching for a facility. Ombudsmen will not recommend a facility but can provide information to help you narrow the list of options based on an individual’s needs. Ombudsmen can also provide information about complaints at specific facilities, help you access the state’s most recent licensing inspection report, and provide materials to guide you through the selection process. Additionally, through our Friendly Visitor Program, we place volunteers who want to help by spending time with residents who rarely or never have visitors.
You don’t have to navigate this process alone. While William had support from people he trusted, we realize that not everyone has that luxury. This is why various resources are available to help you make informed decisions about your future care and support.
We Want To Support You in Finding the Right Nursing Home
Transitioning to a nursing home, assisted living or other senior resident facility can be overwhelming. The good news is that more than 16,000 older adults live in long-term care and nursing homes in Dallas, Texas, and almost all of them were once faced with similar thoughts and decisions. They found a way to overcome their unique challenges by visiting multiple nursing homes. Doing so is a way to find the right fit for you, so please take your time exploring options, getting family members involved in the search, and enjoying the rewarding feeling you’ll get when you know you’ve found the right new home.
More than 16,000 older adults live in long-term care and nursing homes in Dallas, Texas.
When it comes to Dallas older adults, whether you are a family caregiver, a service provider, or a senior citizen, having a reliable resource is invaluable. The Senior Source in Dallas, Texas, is dedicated to supporting older adults. We empower active seniors to live purposeful lives and protect vulnerable seniors. The seniors and families we assist are diverse, as are our services.
Our advocacy ensures that everyone’s rights are upheld as they age, and we strive for financial and emotional well-being for all. At The Senior Source, we prioritize providing high-quality, practical solutions to our clients, constantly focusing on growing our reach and impact within the community. While doing so, we maintain a positive and inclusive work environment for our employees, who are integral in continuously expanding our influence.
Embrace the future of aging with us. Contact us at 214-823-5700 or complete the contact form to learn about our services. We are here to assist you.
*Client names and/or photos may be changed to protect confidentiality.
