Nursing Homes Spokane

With an abundance of nursing homes in Spokane to chose from, it might be hard see how one can stand apart from another. There are so many things to look for that it can get confusing to keep important things at the top of your list. Here are five things to keep in mind when touring a potential nursing home.

Smells and Odors- When you walk into a nursing home the first thing to greet you should never be a strong odor of any kind. This includes the smells of urine, feces or air freshener. A nursing home should smell like any other home, clean and inviting.

Appropriate Lighting- The lighting should be bright and light. The halls should be lit at all times. Exits should be clearly marked and unobstructed.

Upkeep- The nursing home should be in good condition. The walls, floors and windows should be clean. All hand rails and equipment should be in safe working order at all times. Floors should be dry to prevent falls.

Privacy and Respect- Staff should speak to residents in a kind, helpful manner. There should be no exceptions to this rule. Staff should answer call lights in a reasonable amount of time. Staff should also be friendly and courteous to visitors.

Meal Times- Meal times should be an active and lively part of the day. Meals should smell and look appetizing. Food should be hot and fresh. Residents who need assistance should have a staff member helping them with their meal.

When touring a nursing home, you should take in all of your surroundings. When you look at the facility as a whole, you should have a positive, welcoming feeling. If you do not, it is perfectly acceptable to continue your search. Never let the staff make you feel pressured to make a quick decision. Choosing the right nursing home is a complex and important decision that should never be taken lightly.

One of the biggest concerns anyone can have about a nursing home is, How will I pay for it? Nursing home care can be very expensive. Figuring out what to do and who to talk to may seem extremely overwhelming at first. When exploring nursing homes in Spokane, you will want to keep some payment ideas in mind.

Nursing homes take different types of payment. The most common forms of payment are Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance or self funded payment.

Medicare is a federal benefit that kicks in at age 65. It typically covers things like hospital stays and doctors appointments. Medicare offers a limited nursing home benefit. The nursing home must be Medicare approved and you must meet certain guidelines for Medicare to pay a portion of your stay.

Medicaid is a health insurance program that is offered to people who have lower incomes and meet certain guidelines and requirements. These requirements can vary state to state. It is important to check with the nursing home to see if you meet Medicaid guidelines.

Private Insurance can vary greatly depending on the person and the policy. Some people have specialized long term care insurance that is specifically for the payment of nursing homes. Others pay a portion of the nursing home costs.

Self pay is when an individual will pay for nursing home services on their own, with their own money. No insurance of any type is involved in this type of payment.

No matter what way you plan on paying for nursing home care in Spokane, it is imperative to speak with a social worker and the admissions counselor. They will help you become more familiar with the different types of payments and what they will include. You want to make sure you know all of this information before making a final decision on the nursing home that is right for you.

Nursing homes are filled with different types of staff to help residents do everything from dress and bathe to to learn to walk again. At the center of all of these people, you will find the nursing staff. The nursing staff is responsible for all of the residents activities of daily living. Without them, the nursing homes in Spokane would not run as smoothly as they do now. Here is a quick look at what nursing staff is available in the nursing home.

Director of Nursing- The Director of Nursing is the person in charge of the entire nursing staff. Typically they manage the day to day business of the nursing home. They assure that the residents individual plans of care are met and that all aspects of daily life in the nursing home run smoothly.

Charge Nurse- The charge nurse is responsible for many things. They do everything from administering medications to dressing residents. They are usually on the floor and very involved with every element of a resident’s life in the nursing home.

Nursing Assistant- The nursing assistant is the person responsible for the majority of hands on patient care. They dress, feed and bathe residents who need assistance. They make sure that residents get to the restroom, get to their appointments on time and look after their overall well being. The nursing assistants are usually he first to notice if anything is wrong. They are the eyes and ears of the residents in many ways.

The nursing staff is essential to every nursing home. Each nurse or nursing assistant plays a vital role in the care and rehabilitation of all the residents. Knowing who is who will help you better understand how the nursing home runs and works day to day.