Behind the Brochure: Making the Right Call for Nursing Care
Choosing a nursing home is never simple. It often follows weeks or months of difficult conversations, and the decision carries significant weight. Every family wants to believe their loved one will be cared for properly and that the facility will treat them with respect and patience. Fortunately, this is the case for many nursing homes throughout South Carolina. Most deliver quality care, but poor staffing, negligence, and oversight issues are still a problem in our state. That’s why it’s essential to do your homework and understand what to look for when selecting a facility for your loved one.
A good first step is to check for proper licensing and certification. South Carolina nursing homes must be licensed by the Department of Health and Environmental Control and meet both state and federal standards. Families should verify that a facility’s license is current and that the administrator is certified by the South Carolina Board of Long Term Health Care Administrators.
Paperwork alone doesn’t tell the whole story, though. You also need to see how a facility operates in real life. During your search, try to visit several homes at different times of day and observe how staff interact with residents, how they handle requests, and whether the environment feels calm or chaotic. Clean common areas and prompt attention to residents say a lot about how a place operates. On the other hand, frequent noise, hurried staff, or unanswered call bells may signal problems with staffing or supervision.
While visiting, ask about inspection results and staffing ratios, and find out who handles medical concerns when a resident’s condition changes. You’ll also want to know whether families are encouraged to stay involved. The best facilities welcome visits and provide regular updates.
Asking the right questions and visiting in person can help you see how a facility runs, but even the most involved families can be misled. At Evans Moore, LLC, we’ve worked with families who thought they were choosing the right place, only to learn later that care wasn’t what it should have been. If you have concerns about how a nursing home is treating someone close to you, don’t ignore them. Our firm has represented many families in situations like this and can help you understand your options.