How to choose the right nursing home for your loved one

by Darla Hernandez (darlah@wsbt.com)

Tools

The Indiana State Board of Health operates a database of report cards for nursing homes throughout the state. (WSBT photo)

By Beth Boehne

Story Created: Jun 19, 2008 at 5:05 PM EST

Story Updated: Jun 23, 2008 at 9:42 PM EST

SOUTH BEND — A maintenance man in Indianapolis has been charged with rape and burglary, accused of assaulting an 89-year-old woman in a retirement home. This man didn't have a prior record, but there are nursing home workers who do.

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A study in Michigan found 10 percent of the state's nursing home workers had a criminal background.

Indiana requires criminal background checks for anyone who works in a nursing home. The State Board of Health has what they call "Report Cards" on nursing homes. You can go on the site, choose your county and see if there are any violations. It also lists complaints about a nursing home.

It’s a crucial tool to help you choose the safest place for your loved one.

"State law requires that nursing facilities conduct criminal background searches to try to prevent hiring individuals who have been convicted of a sex crime,” explained Erica Costello with Adult Protective Services.

Last year, Adult Protective Services investigated more than 1,400 cases throughout Elkhart, Marshall, Kosciusko, and St. Joseph counties.

"Our office covers allegations including physical, verbal, sexual abuse, also neglect and exploitation,” Costello said. “We see a lot of allegations varying amongst all those categories."

"We do a background check through the state police,” said Jack Mueller with Holy Cross Village at Notre Dame, of their employees.

In addition to worrying about who is working at the nursing home, Mueller says you can make sure your loved one gets the best care by using your senses.

"Do you hear laughter, maybe?” Mueller explained. “Also your sense of smell – does it smell good? Is the environment inviting? And also what you see — are things clean? Are people up and about? Are they dressed for the day? Are they in clean clothes?”

Mueller says pop in on the nursing home unannounced, shop around and ask questions.

"You should be able to ask for the latest State Board of Health survey results, and by law we’re required to post those and I think any facility would be glad to hand those over,” he said.

Like restaurants, we're told by the end of the year nursing homes will have the same kind of 5-star rating system.

To see the nursing home report cards, click on the link in the Related Content box.

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