Question: My father's doctor recently told me I should think about placing my father in a Nursing Home. Do you have any tips on finding a quality care Nursing Home?

Answer: Yes. Get recommendations from friends with relatives in Nursing Homes. Also, you should ask your father's doctor and even your own doctor if they can recommend a Nursing Home. Choose several, at least three (3) or four (4) Nursing Homes, and visit them. It is a good idea to visit them more than once and at different times, such as at lunch, early in the morning, etc. Once you have narrowed the search to one (1) or two (2) Nursing Homes call the Texas Department of Human Services and ask them for specific information on the Nursing Homes. Nursing Home Residents have specific rights. If there are any other questions regarding the rights of nursing home residents and the duties of the nursing home staff, or if you would like a free copy of the Resident's Rights, please feel free to call our office.

Question: I am going to have to place my mother in a Nursing Home based on her doctor's recommendation. I am going to visit several Nursing Homes but don't really know what to look for while I am there or what to ask. Do you have any suggestions?

Answer: Yes. There are numerous things to look for and to ask the Nursing Home staff. Ask to talk to the Administrator and Director of Nursing. Ask tough questions, such as, if there have been complaints to the Texas Department of Human Services and were they valid complaints. Ask to see the State surveys, the complaint investigations and inspection reports. Ask them what the ratio of Nurses Aides is to the number of patients. Certain advocacy groups recommend at least 1 aide to every 5 residents during the day, 1 to every 10 during the evening and 1 to every 15 at night. Also ask them about the turnover rate for Nurses and Nurses Aides. This helps you determine if the staff will become familiar with your mother and her needs and/or the Nursing Home's policies and procedures. Nursing Home Residents have specific rights. If there are any other questions regarding the rights of nursing home residents and the duties of the nursing home staff, or if you would like a free copy of the Resident's Rights, please feel free to contact our office.

Question: I am going to have to place my mother in a Nursing Home based on her doctor's recommendation. I am going to visit several Nursing Homes but don't really know what to look for while I am there or what to ask. Do you have any suggestions?

Answer: Yes. There are numerous things to look for and to ask the Nursing Home staff. Ask how many residents have developed pressure sores while at the Nursing Home, how many are chemically or physically restrained and what kind of help is available to keep the residents mobile. Ask if Medicaid residents are kept separate from other residents, as this is discrimination. Ask how many residents have moved out in the last year. Also find out what the Staff does when a resident doesn't want to eat a meal or several meals. Determine if they offer substitutes and when you will be notified of any problems regarding your mother's nutrition and health. Be wary if you don't get straight answers to these questions or if the answers don't match what you are seeing while visiting the Home. Nursing Home Residents have specific rights. If there are any other questions regarding the rights of nursing home residents and the duties of the nursing home staff, or if you would like a free copy of the Resident's Rights, please feel free to contact our office.

Question: I have seen in several of your responses to questions printed in The Attorneys Speak that I should call the Texas Department of Human Services to obtain information on a particular Nursing Home. What types of questions can they answer when I call?

Answer: Certain information gathered by the Texas Department of Human Services is public information, while some information cannot be released. They can answer questions such as: Have there been any proposed terminations from State contracts, Medicaid and Medicare in the last 2 years? Has the Owner of this facility had other facilities recommended for termination? How many complaints have been filed in the last 2 years? How many of those complaints were found to be valid? How many deficiencies have been cited in the past 2 years? How many "quality of care" violations have been cited in the past 2 years? When was the last visit by the State and what was it for? Our office may also have more specific information on a particular Nursing Home. Nursing Home Residents have specific rights. If there are any other questions regarding the rights of nursing home residents and the duties of the nursing home staff, or if you would like a free copy of the Resident's Rights, please feel free to contact our office.

Question: Are there any local State agencies or groups that can give me specific information on Nursing Homes such as; a list of Nursing Homes in the area; information or assistance in applying for Medicaid, etc.?

Answer: Our office can assist you with specific information we have collected over the years regarding many of the questions you may have. We can also give you a list of several State agencies, advocate groups and programs that will be able to answer any questions you may have or any specific requests you may have. Please call our office for a free list of these agencies/groups and their phone numbers. Remember, Nursing Home Residents have specific rights. If there are any other questions regarding the rights of nursing home residents and the duties of the nursing home staff, or if you would like a free copy of the Resident's Rights, please feel free to contact our office.