Questions to ask - Living

Questions to ask

Sunday, Apr 06, 2008 - 12:03 AM

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• Handling with care in nursing homes
• Elder-care experts offer advice
• Questions to ask

For more on nursing homes

Virginia Long Term Care Ombudsman Program:
www.vda.virginia.gov/ombudsman.asp,
(804) 565-1600, (800) 552-3402
Medicare's Nursing Home Compare:
www.medicare.gov/NHcompare
Virginia Department of Health, Licensure and Certification office health care complaint line: (800) 955-1819

Questions to ask

Things to ask about when choosing a nursing home:

Whether there is a trial period to determine the fit

Refund policies

Room hold policy if there is a need for hospitalization or time away for other reasons

Staff qualifications and facility procedures

Facility license and state inspection reports

Who owns the facility and their financial status, management or owner philosophy

Residents rights

What family and friends can do (visits, input on care planning)

SOURCE: Senior Connections - The Capital Area Agency on Aging, www.seniorconnections-va.org