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What Questions to Ask When Looking for a Skilled Nursing Facility?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
When looking for a skilled nursing facility, ask questions about safety, services, billing and staffing to find the right fit. Questions such as these give you a better idea of how the facility operates and whether it’s a secure and comfortable place for you or your loved one. Below, you’ll find a list of questions to ask when touring skilled nursing facilities.
Health and Safety Questions
These questions show you how seriously the facility takes patient health and security. Good questions include:
- Does the facility have on-site physical, recreational and speech therapists?
- What does the facility do to help prevent infections and the spread of COVID-19?
- Has nursing staff ever been involved in cases of elder neglect or abuse?
- How is the facility prepared for fires, accidents and natural disasters?
- What does this facility do to prevent bed sores?
- What is your policy on medication administration?
- Is memory care provided in a specialized secure unit?
Billing, Services and Staffing Questions
Ask these questions to learn more about billing, meals, services and staffing.
- What kind of insurance do you accept?
- Do you accept Medicaid/Medicare?
- What happens if my loved one or I run out of money?
- What’s included in the monthly rate?
- What services are offered for an extra fee?
- What’s the staff-to-resident ratio?
- What’s the staff turnover rate?
- What kind of training do caregivers have?
- Does the facility accommodate special dietary needs and meal preferences?
General Questions
These questions help you learn about the facility’s activities, family involvement and resident satisfaction.
- What does the facility’s activity schedule look like?
- Are residents allowed to choose their own activities?
- Are residents encouraged to spend time outdoors?
- How do you protect residents’ dignity and privacy?
- Can residents bring items from home?
- Does the facility conduct family/resident satisfaction surveys? If so, can you show me the results?
- What’s the facility’s visitation policy?
- Are families involved in decision-making and care planning?