Personal Injury | Nursing Home Abuse Lawyers
Charleston, WV and Columbus, OH

How to Pick the Right Nursing Home

What to look for to keep your loved one safe

At Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC, we have the highest respect for the elderly. We believe they should be treated with kindness, care and compassion, and we are committed to protecting their rights and the rights of their loved ones. For this reason, our law firm devotes a significant part of our practice to seeking justice for families impacted by nursing home abuse and neglect.

Making the decision to put a loved one can be very difficult. But once you have made it, you are faced with another difficult decision. Which nursing home should you choose?  You want to choose one which will provide for all of your loved one's needs, and where your loved one won't be abused or neglected.

Here are some tips for choosing a nursing home:

  • Research different options. Use the online directory of health care facilities on the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Services and Ohio Department of Health websites to search for nursing homes. You can tailor your search based on types of payment (such as Medicaid), number of beds, or region. Clicking on a facility will give you the results of the latest health inspection survey as well as investigations of complaints
  • Read reviews. Next, check the ratings for the homes you have selected on Medicare's Nursing Home Compare. The ratings are prepared by the federal government, and you will find every nursing home in the state that has been certified by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid. Each home receives a rating between one star (far below average) to five stars (far above average).
  • Visit the facility. When you have narrowed down your search, visit each facility with your loved one. Ask yourself questions. Is it easy and convenient for you to get to so you can visit? What are your first impressions? How do residents and staff seem to interact? What did you think of the meal options? Does the facility seem safe and secure?
  • Talk about it with your loved one. If your loved one has objections to a certain facility, don't try to force the issue. Move on in your search until you find a home your loved one feels better about.

Placing your loved one in a nursing home is one of the most difficult and important decisions you will ever make. If you have concerns about possible abuse or neglect of your loved one, don't hesitate to contact us. One of our attorneys will meet with you to discuss your concerns and help you decide on the next step.

Download your free copy of our eBook for more information on how to spot the signs of nursing home abuse and how to report it.

Charleston, WV

Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC
10 Hale St Suite 501
Charleston, WV 25301
Phone: (304) 720-1000

Columbus, OH

Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC
20 E Broad St Suite 1000
Columbus, OH 43215
Phone: (614) 587-8423