The federal government recently overhauled one of its web services to help families better evaluate nursing homes.
If you and your family are screening nursing homes for a loved one, then you already know what a daunting process it can be. It may just be a little easier now with the federal government’s newly-revised Nursing Home Compare web service.
As Forbes recently pointed out, the comparison tool offered through Medicare.gov has been simplified and expanded. Under advisement from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the old criteria of 17 points has been replaced with a new set of 21 points based on specific issues like infections, falls, general well-being, and pressure ulcers – the very issues that residents and families may deal with directly once admitted to the facility. The idea is to make it easier for families to research their area and get an accurate understanding of quality and performance in possible nursing homes for their loved ones. Hopefully it can help you and your family as well.
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Reference: Forbes (August 1, 2011) “Feds Update Website to Help Families Choose Nursing Home”