Tips for choosing a nursing home in Missouri or Kansas

With so many Kansas City Area nursing homes rated below average, how can a family find a good nursing home to care for their loved one?

Whether this the first time you’ve had to find elder care, or if you are looking to relocate a loved one who was a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, the home you choose will be a determining factor in the quality of your family member’s life.

Too often, this decision has to be made quickly. That’s why it is important to know that if your loved one is moving from a hospital to a nursing home, you can appeal for Medicare to extend their hospital stay by two days. This will give you more time to find a suitable option.

Our parents and grandparents cared and made sacrifices for us. We want to do the best for them, but sometimes it is hard to know where to start. At the Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys, we strive to protect elderly family members. Our personal injury attorneys have seen way too many cases of neglect and abuse. We have put together eight tips to help you find quality elder care.

Eight tips for finding a nursing home.

1. Talk to friends. The very best source for nursing home referrals are friends who have gone through the same experience. They can let you know about quality homes, or warn you about bad ones.

2. Get the names of local nursing homes and care facilities. In Kansas, call the Kansas Department on Aging at 1-800-432-3535. In Missouri, call the Missouri Division on Aging at 1-800-235-5503. These agencies will be able to give you names of local nursing homes and refer you to the local longterm-Care ombudsman.

3. Check with your local longterm-care ombudsman. It is his job to investigate nursing home complaints and advocate on the behalf of nursing home residents and their families. He should be able to provide information about homes in your area.

4. Check ratings. You can check Consumer Reports Nursing Home Quality Monitor and The Center for Medicare and Medicaid’s Nursing Home Compare ratings.

5. Check who owns the facility. Independent, not-for-profit homes generally provide better care than for-profit chains.

6. Visit the homes. Make your visit unannounced. Ask to see the home’s state inspection survey. It should be readily accessible. If it is not, take that as a warning sign. After you visit, visit again. Come back in the late morning or during meals. This will allow you to see how active the residents are. If many residents are still in bed, it may be a sign that there is inadequate staffing.

7. Talk to the administrator and staff. Ask about how long they have been at their job. This will give you an idea of what staff turnover is like. It is a good sign if the administrator has been working at the home for several years. Ask them about the facility, their philosophy, and their thoughts on elder care. Ask them about what changes they would make if they could.

8. Go with your feelings. If you feel something just isn’t right, then you are probably right. Trust your own judgment.

If your loved one ever shows signs of neglect or abuse, call the Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys immediately.Call us with any questions or concerns that you have about your loved one’s situation, 1-888-348-2616.

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Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys
1102 Grand Blvd., Ste 1901
Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone: 816-471-5111
Toll Free: 888-348-2616
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Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys*
11900 College Boulevard, Suite 300
Overland Park, KS 66210
*By Appointment Only: Heather A. Lottmann & Victor B. Finkelstein

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Kansas City Accident Injury Attorneys
1102 Grand Blvd., Ste 1901
Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone: 816-471-5111
Toll Free: 888-348-2616
Get Directions

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