The first decision in choosing a nursing home is to determine the level of care needed. If a nursing home is needed, it’s important to visit and take the tour. And don’t go just once. “Go back again and go back in the evenings or on the weekends because staffing is different during those times,” advises Donna Schutte, the Regional Ombudsman for the West Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging. “Are you seeing staff interact with residents? Do you see call lights that aren’t being answered promptly? Does it smell like urine? Are the residents well kept? Is their hair combed? You want to look for those things.” The HensonFuerst Nursing Home Abuse team echoes Donna Schutte’s other advice: use the most simple sort of research…word of mouth. Ask residents and their families about the facility and if they’re happy with the level of care. The best impression is the simplest — residents who are comfortable and clean and seem to be enjoying life. At HensonFuerst, we’re here to answer your questions and protect the rights of nursing home residents and their families.
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