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Tennessee Nursing Home Selection Do's and Don'ts

Johnny L. Woodruff, Tennessee Lawyer

The purpose of this document is to provide our visitors with helpful tips and information regarding the selection of a nursing home for a family member. If you or a loved one have been the victim of medical malpractice at an extended care facility, contact Attorney Johnny L. Woodruff, an experienced Georgia medical malpractice lawyer.

Nursing Home Selection Checklist

When visiting a nursing home, it is suggested that you bring along the following checklist, marking each question with a "Yes" or "No" answer as you are given the tour. Be sure to allow room for any further questions or comments that may come to you.

• Is the nursing home Medicare-certified?
• Is the nursing home Medicaid-certified?
• Does the nursing home have the level of care that your loved one needs, and is a bed available?
• Does the nursing home have a special services unit in a separate area if needed (i.e. for dementia, rehabilitation, or ventilator), and is a bed available?
• Is the nursing home located close enough for family and friends to visit?
• Are the residents clean, appropriately dressed for the season or time of day, and well groomed?
• Is the nursing home free of any unpleasant odors?
• Does the facility appear clean and well-maintained?
• Is the temperature of the facility comfortable for the residents?
• Does the nursing home facility have good lighting?
• Are the noise levels within the dining room and other common areas comfortable?
• Is smoking prohibited or restricted to specific areas within the facility?
• Are the facility's furnishing's sturdy, yet comfortable and attractive?
• Do the relationships between staff and residents appear to be warm, polite, and respectful?
• Do all the staff wear name tags?
• Do the staff knock on residents' doors before entering their rooms?
• Do the staff refer to residents by name?
• Does the facility offer training and continuing education programs for all staff?
• Does the nursing home facility perform background checks on all its staff?
• Does the guide on your tour know all of the residents by name, and is he or she recognized by them?
• Is there a full-time registered nurse (R.N.) on staff at all times, other than the Administrator or Director of Nursing?
• Do the C.N.A.'s (certified nurse's assistants) work with a reasonable number of residents?
• Is there a full-time social worker on staff?
• Is there a licensed doctor on staff? Is he or she there daily? Can this person be reached at all times?

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If you or a loved one has suffered a personal injury due to the negligence of someone else, contact an experienced Tennessee lawyer today. Johnny L. Woodruff, Attorney at Law, has successfully served the legal needs of the Chattanooga community for more than ten years, and he stands ready to assist you in your time of need. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation.