Approximately 20% of hospitalized older adults (age 65 and older) are discharged to a skilled nursing facility after a qualified hospital stay. That’s not a small number and having been on that side of the bed if you will, I can tell you it isn’t always great. Have you ever been the resident or the family of a resident? If you have you likely have your own stories to share!

Caring for the Ages published a great article on advocating for an aging relative during a skilled nursing facility stay in their April 2024 issue. As I read the article it occurred to me that the process really is challenging! Think about it, your presence in the center is important as you want to advocate for your loved one, but maybe the nearest center isn’t the “best”. So, you place mom in another center but aren’t able to visit as often due to distance and time constraints. Dilemma.

A little guidance. Always check Care Compare, however, don’t put all your eggs in one basket! Take a drive over on a Sunday afternoon, unannounced of course, tour the center, talk to the staff, observe if the residents are engaged or sitting idly around the nursing station. Are there odors? Are residents calling out for help? Visit at mealtime, are residents enjoying their meal or are they eating in their rooms alone? Honestly, the list goes on and on.

Mystery shoppers are a great tool, ask a friend or relative to visit your center unannounced and report back to you. This works well on telephones too! Call your center at 8:30 at night, see who, if anyone, answers the phone (I once had a resident answer the phone). Come to your front entrance and ring the nighttime doorbell. See how long you wait for someone to respond. Remember, what happens to you is happening to your guests. Customer service 101! Stay well and stay informed!