Personal Opinion: I believe that the ideal environment for caring for an aged relative is in the home of a family member. I believe that all too often relatives are quick to place a loved one in a nursing home when there are better options to consider. That being said, I believe there are good and bad nursing homes. I believe that the best nursing homes are ones that pay attention to detail. I believe a good nursing home is one that makes a deliberate and ongoing effort to interact with residents rather than warehousing them. A good nursing home should be clean, well-maintained and cheerful. Quality must be the watchword for the entire facility. It must offer quality food, quality surroundings, and quality healthcare. Staff and patients should interact frequently and as peers since dignity is as important to elderly residents as it is to anyone else. I believe that it is essential to keep the elderly mentally active and alert. I have heard and read that when the mind goes, the body soon follows; therefore a good nursing home should have a program to keep residents mentally alert.
Group Criteria: The American Association of Retired People (AARP) is one of the largest organizations in the country. It is concerned about a variety of issues affecting seniors, including nursing home care. The AARP believes is vital to spend a considerable amount of time researching the nursing home before you send them to the home because it is easier to pick a good home in the beginning than it is to choose a poor one and then transfer your family member to another facility. Try to stay away from facilities that try to restrict visitors' access to the facility. Visit homes at different times of the day or on weekend afternoons to evaluate staffing and housekeeping levels. The AARP cites a recent federal study that found inadequate staffing in more than 90 percent of the nation's nursing homes. The AARP believes that there is an unmista...