Just who IS caring for you Loved one? Who are the Nursing assistants? Who are the nurses? Who is the dietician, the laundry personel, the housekeepers? Who is the social worker, the recreational staff and who is the management that is making decision for your loved one?

All VERY good questions that you need to know. In regards to nursing staff(nurses and nursing assistance) they MUST be licensed(nurses) or certified(nursing assistants) in the state that they are practicing. This is law and I would be confident that all of these staff members are so. During the application process each of these persons are verified to hold licensure or certification in good standing with the state. One either HAS a license/certification or they do not. There is no other options. Although a nurse can have restrictions upon their license for disciplinary reasons. EVERY state has a Board of Nursing that licenses nursing/nursing assistants and these states have a verification method that anyone can verify licenses of staff members. I would advise calling the State Board of Nursing and aski for the website for license verification. Go to the site, enter a name and there you go. It is public information for all. This also will tell you if a nurse have an restrictions on their practice due to disciplinary reasons.

Also be aware that many of the nursing staff have VERY likely been employed at several nursing homes for short periods of time. I can only explain this by one means; politics. This forces may nurses to move on looking for greener pastures. Most never find them. Ask your admitting persons for long the veterans nurses have been employed with them. Stabiliy and consistency of care is key to your loved one getting either descent care or excellent care. Just as with any career field you want someone who is seasoned and happy with their employer. The same goes for nursing assistants; although their turnover rate is MUCH higher that nurses. The nursing assistance is the person for will provide the most direct care to yoru loved one. If there is a constant change in this group of workers then there are questions that need to be asked. Why is there a constant turnover? Why is there always new faces providing care?

I write this blog from a nursing prospective, but there are many other disciplines involved in the care of resident. Dietary staff, social services, recreational staff, laundry staff, housekeeping staff, maintanence staff, administration, medical records staff, and managment. ALL of them play a role in the care of your loved one and every one of them can create harmony or disrupt harmony in the experience of your loved one. Most people focus on the nursing staff only, do not do this. Ask about ALL of teh disciplines. Most of these disciplines employ people with experience in their prospective position, but yet these require zero licensures. Many of these people care criminal records; yes I will repeat that. Many of these people have criminal records. Most may not be serious, but they do exist. These position are usually low pay and require no education hence the beginnings for questionable behaviors. Especially those nursing homes located in the inner cities.

I hope this opens up conversation about just WHO is caring for our elderly. Notice behaviors, conversations, customer service, and all the signs of what could be questionable care. Ask questions and let managment know that you are watching.


The opinions of this blog are strictly the opinion of the writer and do not reflect the opinions of others. Be individual writes comments bases upon their own experience/situation. Nursinghomeprocess.blogspot.com is open for public view, though HIPPA laws are maintained by the conductor.