Finding a Good Nursing Home

When seeking out a quality nursing facility for a loved one, you should consider the following:

A current state operating license
A licensed administrator
Medicare and Medicaid certification
Open visitation privileges
Smoke detectors and fire alarms on every floor
Automatic sprinkler systems & Emergency Lighting
A high staff to patient ratio
Handrails in hallways
Clearly marked exits with unobstructed access
Bedrooms that open onto a corridor and have windows (required by law)
A physician available for emergencies
No offensive odors and no heavily scented sprays to mask foul odors
Toilet facilities that accommodate wheelchairs & grab bars in bathrooms
An attractive dining room with appetizing food
Appropriately dressed and clean residents
A policy that encourages residents to go outside
An activity room and activities coordinator
Friendly, pleasant, caring and available staff
An active resident participation program or council

Be sure to visit the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration's Nursing Home Watch List also. The Florida Nursing Home Guide Watch List is published by the state Agency for Health Care Administration to assist consumers in evaluating the quality of nursing home care in Florida. This Watch List reflects facilities that met the criteria for a conditional status and is arranged by date.

A conditional status indicates that a facility did not meet, or correct upon follow-up, minimum standards at the time of an annual or complaint inspection. Immediate action is taken if a facility poses a threat to resident health or safety. If the deficiencies that resulted in conditional status have been corrected, the current status is noted. Facilities appealing the state's inspection results are also noted. The document is subject to change as appeals are processed.

If you or someone you know has suffered as a result of negligence or mistreatment in a nursing home, or you have more questions, contact one of our attorneys for a FREE CONSULTATION using the form below or by calling 1 (888) 77-GENET.

I understand that in visiting this site I am not entering into an attorney client relationship with Paul B. Genet or Stephen Haskins. The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. You should consult an attorney for individual advice regarding your own situation.