Living in a nursing home
A nursing facility is not a hospital. Many people enter a nursing facility after a hospital stay and tend to think of the nursing facility as an extension of hospital care. However, a nursing facility is much different. Medical, rehabilitative and nursing care is provided as needed by health care professionals and dedicated caregivers. Yet at the same time, nursing facilities try to be homes – where people can feel comfortable, find familiar faces, and continue life’s activities appropriate to their age and capabilities.
A nursing facility is not a hospital. Many people enter a nursing facility after a hospital stay and tend to think of the nursing facility as an extension of hospital care. However, a nursing facility is much different. Medical, rehabilitative and nursing care is provided as needed by health care professionals and dedicated caregivers. Yet at the same time, nursing facilities try to be homes – where people can feel comfortable, find familiar faces, and continue life’s activities appropriate to their age and capabilities.
Nursing facilities do not have restrictive visiting hours like hospitals. Family members and friends are encouraged to visit. Whenever possible, residents eat in dining rooms rather than in their rooms. Various activities and outings are offered each day to stimulate and entertain residents mentally, physically and socially.
Family members are encouraged to participate in care planning meetings with the staff and resident. By being involved in care decisions, the information provided by families and friends will help ensure quality and satisfaction of care.
Nursing facilities are expected to meet government quality standards, and they are inspected to ensure that they do. When a problem is found, a plan for correcting it is put into place promptly. In addition, all nursing homes have an Ombudsman to advocate for the residents.
Family and friends also serve as an important safety net by being regular visitors. If loved ones feel that proper attention or care is not being given to a specific situation, bring it to the attention of the appropriate staff person, for example, the director of nursing, social worker or administrator. If loved ones are not satisfied with their responses, they may wish to contact the facility’s Ombudsman or the Oklahoma State Department of Health.
The Ombudsman receives complaint calls from residents, families, friends, or any individual, and has the authority to investigate that complaint and recommend corrective action.
If you would like to know more about the Ombudsman Program, Ombudsman Volunteer Training or have questions about Long Term Care, call Tim Nicholson or Scott Harding, Ombudsman supervisors at the EODD Area Agency on Aging, 918-682-7891.
