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When a senior citizen suffers an injury or sickness and is transferred to the hospital for critical care it is important to understand that the recovery from the injury or illness can require extensive rehabilitation and treatment beyond the care offered at the hospital. Most often, families are not prepared to investigate a skilled nursing facility or rehabilitation hospital where their loved one is to be transferred after hospitalization.

Often, health maintenance organizations (HMO’s) will make the decision to transfer the loved one without any input from a healthcare surrogate or family member. These are helpful hints on locating a proper nursing home for a loved one:

STEP 1: PLAN AHEAD

PLAN AHEAD. Make sure to inquire of the nursing staff or hospital social worker as to when your loved one will be discharged. Ask the staff at the hospital to give you a list of all skilled nursing facilities or rehabilitation hospitals that are available in your immediate area. Also inquire of a Medicare HMO as to which facilities will be approved on discharge. Hospitals discharge patients quickly so be prepared to place your loved one in the appropriate facility.

Step 2: DO YOUR RESEARCH

DO YOUR RESEARCH. The best way to determine the appropriateness of a nursing home, is through the Center for Healthcare Services site called “Nursing Home Compare” https://www.medicare.gov/care-compare/. This site reviews all area nursing homes available for you to check out before such time as your loved before your loved one is discharged.

Step 3: VISIT THE FACILITY

VISIT THE FACILITY. Prior to transferring a family member to a facility, make a first-hand inspection of the facility. Does the hallway smell of urine? Are the employees and staff actively assisting individuals? Are there seniors in the hallway that look unkempt or one crying out for help? These are all signs of the quality of care your loved one would get.

STEP 4: CHOOSING THE RIGHT FACILITY – NURSING HOME V. REHABILITATION HOSPITAL

CHOOSING THE RIGHT FACILITY – NURSING HOME V. REHABILITATION HOSPITAL. If your loved one needs rehabilitation there are two ways to find it. Local rehabilitation hospitals specialize in treating individuals and getting them back on their feet in a short-term rehabilitation setting. Skilled nursing facilities do the same but a rehabilitation hospital is always preferable because there is always a doctor present. Should there be a complication while your loved one is in a rehabilitation hospital, medical care is not far away.

What To Do With This Information:

These are helpful hints to assist you when choosing the right nursing home or rehabilitation hospital to care for your loved one. Please feel free to contact our law firm to obtain our recommendations for your local nursing homes to care for your loved ones. Call Fenster and Cohen for our free legal advice at 954-473-1500.