What can I do to ensure that I am placing my mother in a nursing home that is appropriate and will treat her properly?

Q: I have to place my elderly mother in a nursing home.  What can I do to ensure that I am placing my mother in a nursing home that is appropriate and will treat her properly?

A: Deciding on a nursing home for a loved one and creating a transition plan is an important process. Ontario has 14 Local Health Integration Networks that plan, integrate and fund local health care.  Once your loved one’s needs are determined, you can contact a LHIN co-ordinator to discuss availability and special considerations such as ethnic, religious, linguistic, medical, and cognitive needs.

You should visit the home before hand to examine the residence and available rooms.  Before doing so, you should inquire with the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care about any prior complaints, investigations or compliance orders. You should also make inquiries into the staff per patient ratio and confirm the frequency of onsite doctor’s visits.  Confirm the Director of Care’s background and past work experience. You should also ask questions about the security and monitoring policies of the facility.

If you are placing your mother in a home but you are not physically able to make frequent visits, you can explore private supplementary care to ensure your mother’s basic needs are being met and her mind is being stimulated.  Private supplementary care also provides you with an extra set of eyes and an opportunity to spot areas of concern in the facility.

If your loved one has been subjected to neglect or abuse in a nursing home, you should consult with a personal injury lawyer who has experience in nursing home liability to assist you in protecting your loved one’s rights.