Nursing Home Guide and Nursing Home Ratings

When the time comes to choose a nursing home and evaluate the care it provides, where do you turn for information you can trust? Most facilities are dedicated to providing good care for their residents, but issues can arise because of inadequate or unqualified staffing, equipment problems, standards of service and other situations.

The Fort Lauderdale and Port St. Lucie nursing home neglect attorneys at Freeman Injury Law are knowledgeable about all aspects of the laws that govern nursing home care. They stand ready to help with any questions that arise about the quality of treatment your loved one receives.

The State of Florida’s Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) has created a guide for individuals seeking greater understanding of the issues involved in selecting a nursing home. Whether care is needed for yourself or a loved one, taking time to refer to the guide can help you make informed choices about the types of care available and the facilities that can provide it.

The AHCA is the state agency responsible for licensing health care facilities. It oversees Florida’s Medicaid program and the Medicare and Medicaid certifications for nursing homes and other long-term care centers. That makes it the statewide authority on nursing homes, how they function and how you can gain the knowledge you need to make informed choices for yourself or those you care about.

The first AHCA publication you’ll want to review is its Nursing Home Guide. This informative publication provides a wealth of knowledge about choosing a nursing home, the facilities that are located in your area, and the services they provide. The Guide also offers information on alternative types of care that might be more appropriate for you or your loved one – care options that enable you to receive the treatment and support you need at home.

AHCA’s Guide also provides readers with information about the performance of specific nursing homes. Detailed data on facilities displays ratings for the quality of care residents receive and their quality of life. Ratings also reflect how well a nursing home’s administration performs. Inspection reports itemize any issues that have been identified, including the date problems were found, and information on how widespread and serious the issues were judged to be.

The Nursing Home Guide includes what is called a “Watch List.” This tells you which nursing homes have entered bankruptcy or did not meet acceptable standards for some other reason. Facilities on the Watch List are operating conditionally – some are working to correct problems or appealing citations for problems related to their care-giving capabilities.

The AHCA also provides information on nursing homes that have built reputations for excellence in the care they give residents. Outstanding facilities may receive the Nursing Home Gold Seal Award, indicating they meet the highest standards in care and operation.

When you or a loved one need it, the best health care should be readily available. If you feel that someone you care about has suffered because of substandard care in a nursing home, you need someone on YOUR side. The Fort Lauderdale nursing home attorneys at Freeman Injury Law are here for you.