| December 14, 2009 |
|
Check in on loved ones, and check up on their care
Medicare’s “Compare” Web tool offers information about local nursing homes, hospitals and home health agencies.
Contact Information
Janna Williams
501-212-8646
We all tend to think more about our loved ones during the holidays. And because this season can be especially lonely for those who are homebound or live in nursing homes, it’s a good time to check in on friends and relatives — by visiting them in person, and also by visiting www.medicare.gov to learn about the quality of care their facility or home health care agency delivers. “Spending time with someone who cares about them can make the holidays even more joyful for seniors who are homebound or live in nursing homes,” said Nick Paslidis, CEO at the Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care. “It’s also a chance to make sure your loved one is being well taken care of.” The Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS) publishes information about hospitals, nursing homes and home health agencies that families can use to evaluate the quality of care their loved one is receiving. To use this resource, go to www.medicare.gov, scroll down to “Search Tools” and click on “Compare Nursing Homes in Your Area,” “Compare Hospitals in Your Area” or “Compare Home Health Agencies in Your Area.” You can then search by state, city, county or zip code to view individual agencies’ or facilities’ performance on several specific “quality measures,” such as pressure sores, pain, physical restraints and infections. The measures are stated in percentages, with lower percentages generally representing higher quality of care in that category. The Web site allows you to create charts that compare an agency or facility with others in the area. You can also review state inspection reports, staffing numbers and cost information. The Web site also includes helpful information and a simple checklist of important questions to ask about nursing home residents’ appearance, living spaces, the nursing home staff, residents’ private and public access rooms, meals, activities, safety and care (http://www.medicare.gov/nursing/checklist.pdf). This information should be used with other community resources and suggestions from family, friends and health care providers to make decisions about a loved one’s care needs. Those without access to the Internet can call 1-800-MEDICARE to get the same information. For over 30 years, through utilization review, quality improvement projects and public education, the Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care has worked to improve the health of Arkansans. Our mission statement: To promote excellence in health care through evaluation and education. Visit our online newsroom at www.afmc.org/media.