Nursing Home Checklist

Transitioning into a nursing home can be a stressful experience. Fortunately, you can make the process easier by being prepared. There is a list of documents that must be collected before your loved one can move in. The staff can help you if you become overwhelmed.

Here’s what you need to bring.

1. Your loved one’s medications and prescriptions

This is very important. Once your loved one is transferred to the nursing home, their medical care will be in the hands of the facility. The hospital staff will take care of this for you if your loved is moving directly from a hospital room to the nursing home.

2. Medical Records

The nursing home staff needs your loved one’s medical history on file. Their care is individualized.

3. Physician’s Order for Admission

A doctor needs to verify that your loved one needs the care of a nursing home.

4. Admissions paperwork

The paperwork is often filled out on the day your loved one is admitted. That’s because a nursing home staff number usually walks families through the documents. Your loved one will need to sign their name to prove they gave consent to living in the nursing home.

5. State Documents

Each state has its own form that must be filled out prior to admission. You can obtain the form from the hospital or from your loved one’s physician. It states that his or her medical needs can be satisfied at a nursing home. Some patients have health conditions that require more care while others don’t need the services of a nursing home staff.

6. Negative Tuberculosis (TB) Test

TB is highly contagious. Patients suffering from the disease can’t live in nursing homes.

7. Financial Assessments

Nursing homes aren’t free. Before your loved one is admitted, the staff has to ascertain his or her ability to pay. The patient may not be able to control their own finances anymore. The patient, the patient’s attorney, or the patient’s family need to be honest about the patient’s financial health.

The staff also need to determine if your loved one qualifies government assistance. You will need to figure out your loved one’s assets. Bank accounts, cash, stocks, etc., are all included. Insurance questions will also need to be hammered out. Is your loved one enrolled in Medicare? Medicaid?

The nursing home is required to check if your loved one is eligible for government benefits and will ask questions with that view in my mind.

Be Prepared

It doesn’t matter if it’s your parent, your grandparent, or your spouse. Moving your loved one into a nursing home can be an emotionally harrowing experience.

However, sometimes it just can’t be avoided and depending on the circumstance, it may be in your loved one’s best interest. Nursing homes can provide the care and attention that your loved one needs to survive.

Admissions day will go smoother if you have everything ready in advance. Read through the above checklist and prepare what you can. You want to be able to devote your attention to your loved one instead of having to worry about paperwork.