Choosing a Doctor

If you click the nursing home name, and then select there categories, there are some comments. Here is an example, for a place with a "One Star" rating:

"Inspectors determined that the nursing home failed to:

Keep each resident's personal and medical records private and confidential.
Provide services to meet the needs and preferences of each resident.
Quickly give a resident's personal money to the heads of his or her estate after the resident's death.
Tell each resident who can get Medicaid benefits about 1) which items and services Medicaid covers and which the resident must pay for; or 2) how to apply for Medicaid, along with the names and addresses of State groups that can help.
Store, cook, and give out food in a safe and clean way."

Some critics of the ratings wonder if nursing homes will now focus on the factors that will raise ratings, rather than improve overall quality of care. Still, one would think that publicizing and ranking the results of inspections, percentage of patients with sores, etc. is a good thing.

The Government's Dregs List (otherwise known as "Special Focus Facilities")

These homes are judged by the US Department of Health and Human Services to be the very worst 1% of nursing homes. The list is broken down into new additions, those showing improvement, and those showing no improvement. Hopefully the link works. If not, here's the 'url':

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/CertificationandComplianc/Downloads/SFFList.pdf

Choosing a good nursing home

Susan Ruff — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 03:32:10 GMT

Nursing Homes: Getting Good Care Therea publication by the National Citizens’ Coalition for Nursing Home Reform. This informative book contains valuable information about your legal rights as a nursing home resident, how to communicate with staff and what to do when you need to advocate for your loved one’s rights. Please contact us for a copy of this highly acclaimed consumer manual at consumerguide@age.state.oh.us

Elder Healthcare

Mark — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:52:17 GMT

Hi,

I just wanted to post a great source of information...it's at www.elderdoc.com

Thank you

Web Sites for Nursing Home Ratings

Susan Ruff — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:45:32 GMT

Published in the Wall Street Journal:

http://www.memberofthefamily.net/

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/health-fitness/nursing-home-guide/0608_nursing-home-guide.htm

http://www.nursinghomeaction.org/static_pages/ombudsmen.cfm http://www.healthgrades.com/ (pay site)

How to Talk to Your Doctor

Tanya Kudla from Michigan — Sat, 03 May 2008 02:24:08 GMT

Today, patients take an active role

in their health care. You and your doctor will work

in partnership to achieve your best possible level of

health. An important part of this relationship is good

communication. Here are some questions you can ask

your doctor to get your discussion started:

About My Disease or Disorder...

What is my diagnosis?

What caused my condition?

Can my condition be treated?

Should I watch for any particular symptoms

and notify you if they occur?

Should I make any lifestyle changes?

About My Treatment...

What is the treatment for my condition?

When will the treatment start, and how long

will it last?

What are the benefits of this treatment, and

how successful is it?

What are the risks and side effects associated

with this treatment?

Are there foods, drugs, or activities I should

avoid while I’m on this treatment?

If my treatment includes taking a medication,

what should I do if I miss a dose?

Are other treatments available?

About My Tests...

What kinds of tests will I have?

What do you expect to find out from these tests?

When will I know the results?

Do I have to do

anything special to

prepare for any of

the tests?

Do these tests have any side effects or risks?

Will I need more tests later?

Understanding your doctor’s responses is essential to

good communication. If you don’t understand your

doctor’s responses, ask questions until you do understand.

Take notes, or get a friend or family member to

take notes for you. Or, bring a tape recorder to assist

in your recollection of the discussion. Ask your doctor

to write down his or her instructions to you and ask

for printed material about your condition. If you still

have trouble understanding your doctor’s answers,

ask where you can go for more information. Other

members of your health care team, such as nurses and

pharmacists, can be good sources of information.

Talk to them, too.

National Institutes of Health

Article: Questions You Can Ask Your Doctor

Admin — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 21:45:56 GMT

Questions You Can Ask Your Doctor

Today, patients take an active role in their health care. You and your doctor will work in partnership to achieve your best possible level of health. An important part of this relationship is good communication. Here are some questions you can ask your doctor to get your discussion started:

About My Disease or Disorder...

What is my diagnosis?
What caused my condition?
Can my condition be treated?

This article continues at Questions You Can Ask Your Doctor.

Choosing a Good Doctor

belinda b — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 22:00:40 GMT

Article: Guide To Geriatric Care Specialists

Admin — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:49:21 GMT

Guide To Geriatric Care Specialists

From arthritis to diabetes, hearing loss to cancer, seniors are treated for a wide range of medical conditions, and they and their caregivers can face a sometimes bewildering array of doctors. Deciphering all the different specialties in medicine sometimes seems to require an advanced degree itself, but your health can depend on making the right choice.

So we'd like to help you with this guide to the types of geriatric care specialists that seniors are most likely to need for their health care. Some of the specialists may have advanced training and be specially certified in geriatrics, the care of seniors.

This article continues at Geriatric Care Specialists.

Choosing A Good Doctor

Carolyn Warthan — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 13:52:21 GMT

So often in talking with families, their "trusted family physician" may not be managing their parents care too well. I have even heard of MDs starting AZ durgs out of state, over the phone for patients without a current visit. One of my families referred to her parents medical regimen as "Drug Soup". Frequently these seniors have so many specialist and so many prescriptions--then people wonder why mom is showing signs of dementia when 6 of the 10 drugs she is taking are centrally acting drugs all of which can affect the brain. Then you add in a UTI and a course of Cipro or Floxin and mom is over the edge and noone knows why! Hopefully, with the greying of America we will find more MDs entering the field of geriatric medicine.

Choosing a Doctor

Nursing Home Rankings & Ratings - updates

An Honor Roll, a Dreg's List, and complete rankings on a 5-star scale:

Nursing Home Rating System