This pandemic is putting the lives of our senior loved ones at great risk. Some of our loved ones require special care and we are often unable to give them that. Cohabitation with them can even risk their safety during this pandemic.

In the light of the pandemic, when it is particularly dangerous for them, how can we find an excellent nursing home?

Your loved ones deserve the best. A good nursing home should be able to take care of our loved ones better than us. They must ensure safety and be particularly attentive towards those who require special help.

Here's how you can find a safe and loving nursing home for your loved ones during this nationwide pandemic.

Decide On Your Budget

Figure out your budget before the selection of nursing homes. The quality of a nursing home often depends on the money you are paying. You can get better service at a higher price.

If your loved ones need special care, you will need to set a bigger budget. If they require daily assistance with meals, baths, etc, expect the cost to be higher. Places that provide medical care or specialized staff are more expensive.

If they don't require special assistance or help with the daily needs, consider senior independent living. These places provide independent living arrangements, with services like housekeeping, transportation, etc.

Don't be stingy with the budget and aim to find the safest, most comfortable place for your loved one.

Do Some Research Online

Getting out frequently is dangerous right now, start your research online. You can find plenty of information online, including comparison tools like this one. Sites like these can help you compare nursing homes.

Check out the nursing home websites and make use of online databases, articles, etc. Make a shortlist of places that look promising.

Make sure you do a background check. Avoid any place that has a history of neglect or failure to follow regulations. Look at online reviews and weed out places that have received the same complaints repetitively.

You must narrow down your list to a handful. Consider everyone's safety and avoid visiting too many places.

Understand Nursing Homes Laws & Regulations

There have been too many horrible cases of neglect and abuse in nursing homes. That is why the government has imposed a few regulations and laws concerning nursing homes.

The Nursing Home Reform act states that every nursing home "must provide services and activities to attain or maintain the highest practicable physical, mental, and psychosocial well-being of each resident in accordance with a written plan of care."

Under this law, there are a few regulations which include having sufficient staff, assessment of residents, ensuring appropriate treatment, etc. Read the complete list here.

Be aware of these regulations before you visit the potential nursing homes. This way you can ensure that the home you choose is following the regulations.

Visit The Nursing Homes You Shortlisted

Pay a visit to the nursing homes you shortlisted. This way you will know for sure whether they are maintaining the quality. Here are a few things you should do during the visit.

Talk To The Staff

Talk to the staff about the facility. Ask questions about the services they offer. Talking to the nursing director and assistant will tell you a lot about the facility.

These people will be in charge of taking care of your loved one. Do they seem kind and gentle? Are they willing to answer questions or are they reluctant?

Take note of their behavior. If they behave impolitely or roughly, chances are they will treat the residents unkindly.

It is a positive sign to see the nursing home staff happy and enthusiastic about their work.

Look Around On Your Own

Most places provide a guided tour. But a guided tour is designed to show you the best parts of the place. Try to take a look around on your own. If the staff seem reluctant about letting you make a tour of your own, that usually indicates of them trying to hide something.

Remember that you are entrusting a family member to them and you have every right to ensure their safety. Ask to see the place where your loved one might stay and judge for yourself if it is good enough.

Check around the entire facility and see if things are working smoothly. 

Notice the environment and see if it feels bright and happy. Trust your intuition, if something feels wrong then avoid that facility.

Review Their Pandemic Safety

Remember to ask the staff about their pandemic safety. Ask them about the steps they are taking to make sure the facility stays disease-free.

See if the staff are equipped with protective gear as they will come in close contact with the residents. See if they are providing masks, sanitizers, and other protection items to the inmates.

Notice how you were received and if they disinfect visitors before letting them in. If they are not taking enough precautions, it is a big red flag. One-third of COVID-19 cases and deaths occurred in nursing homes. Read about the new regulations for nursing homes regarding COVID-19 here.

Keep An Eye Out For Red Flags

During the visit, keep an eye out for red flags. Three things to look out for are sights, sounds, and smells. If you see unhappy residents or people crying and complaining, it's a bad sign. Notice if the facility is clean and well kept.

See if the environment is too quiet or too rowdy. If they are playing happy music and the residents are enjoying, take that as a good sign.

Be aware of bad smells or strong smells of cleaning products. You want your loved one to stay in a healthy environment. Any place you find unpleasant during a single visit will be terrible for them to live in.

Talk To The Residents

Try to engage in conversation with some of the residents. If the staff seem reluctant to allow that, take it as a red flag.

If the residents look happy and willing to talk, it says a lot about the environment of the facility. Talk to them about their life there and ask if they enjoy living there.

Residents may be able to give you a better assessment of the facility. Take this opportunity to learn more about the place.

Conclusion

You have to be extra careful while choosing a nursing home during this pandemic. Choosing the wrong facility can be life-threatening for your loved one.

Do a thorough research and find a place that offers a safe living for senior citizens. Take your time and pick the place you trust to take care of your family member better than you can.