A Step-by-Step Guide to Researching Nursing Homes in St. Augustine

When the time comes to find a nursing home for an aging loved one, the search can feel overwhelming. With so many facilities in St. Augustine, how do you even begin? Where does a family start?

The good news is that by breaking the research down step-by-step, the process becomes much more
manageable – maybe even a little exciting. Finding the community where your loved one will feel safe, engaged and cared for takes time, effort and some know-how. But you’ve got this. Here’s how to approach the nursing home search thoughtfully and thoroughly.

First Things First – Determine the Level of Care

To focus your efforts, begin by outlining the level of care your senior family member requires. Do they need intensive 24/7 nursing and medical oversight available in a skilled nursing facility? Or more moderate daily living assistance that assisted living provides?

A geriatric care manager can provide an invaluable consultation and needs assessment to point you in the
right direction based on your loved one’s health conditions and functional abilities. Having clarity on the
scope of care needed from the start guides the entire search.
Some key questions to consider:

• Does your loved one require around-the-clock nursing care?
• Do they struggle with mobility, bathing/grooming, medications or other activities of daily living?
• Do they have chronic conditions or illnesses that require frequent medical oversight?
• Are memory care or therapy services likely to become necessary?
  Having a clear grasp of your loved one’s baseline care needs and potential future needs will tell you
  whether assisted living or skilled nursing is the better fit.

Money Matters – Review Your Budget

Cost will likely factor heavily into your decision, so get financial matters squared away early. Meet with a
professional advisor to understand coverage options like Medicare, Medicaid, VA benefits or long-term
care insurance.
Some key financial questions include:

• What resources does your loved one have available for paying for care? Their own assets? Family
  support? Insurance policies?
• Do they qualify for government assistance programs, and if so, what is the process to apply and
  utilize those benefits?
• Are there programs or financial planning vehicles they should consider to protect assets for a
  spouse or legacy?
  This essential step gives you the price point guardrails to filter options moving forward. Knowing what you
  can realistically afford narrows the prospects.

Make a Must-Have Checklist

Now comes the fun part – crafting a wish list capturing your loved one’s ideal priorities, environment and
personality for their new home. Encourage them to imagine and verbalize their preferences. What would
help them feel comfortable, engaged and uplifted day-to-day?
Run the list by other family members to get their input too. Seek consensus on the most vital elements like location, dining, staffing ratios, activities or faith services. This checklist will be your trusty measuring stick for comparing communities apples-to-apples.
Some categories to consider:

• Location and Setting – Urban, suburban or rural? Near family and friends? Layout of grounds?
• Care Services – Staff training, ratios, healthcare, therapies offered
• Amenities – Dining, fitness, activities, community excursions
• Safety and Security – Building access, wandering prevention if needed
• Feel of Facility – Homey? Vibrant? Modern? Something else?

Tour Time!

Once prospects that fit parameters start emerging, schedule in-person tours. Visit at varied times and on
multiple days to get the full picture of daily rhythms and routines. Imagine your loved one living their daily life in each facility. Does the nursing home seem like a comfortable fit or are there red flags? Pay extra attention to care interactions and the overall environment and culture.

Don’t just rely on the sales pitch. Sit in the dining room, stroll the grounds, peek into active resident areas
and care stations. Stepping into experiential snapshots of day-to-day life tells the real story.
Sample the Dining Experience
Plan tours around mealtimes so you can see the food and dining program up close. High quality dining
boosts health and quality of life exponentially. Observe how staff interacts with and assists residents during meals. Is help provided patiently and conversation encouraged? Or does the dining room feel clinical and lonely? Assess for yourself.

Meet Administrators and Staff

Schedule sit-downs with leadership to hear their vision for the community. Chat with line staff to observe if they seem warm, knowledgeable and content in their roles. Passionate, stable leadership and staff make all the difference in daily care. Go with your gut reactions to interactions. Do they seem genuinely caring or just going through the motions?

Follow Up with Questions

Use phone calls as a chance to tie up any loose ends on issues like staff retention rates, corrective actions
from state surveys or specialized health services offered. Ask how they’d create a tailored care plan to
meet your loved one’s unique preferences and needs. A little extra due diligence goes a long way.

Envision the Move-In

Ask how the facility will help your loved one settle into their new home. Do they offer meet-and-greets,
mentorship programs or support groups for new residents? Discover what special touches make move-in
welcoming.

Plan for Ongoing Communication

Clarify procedures for family communications and care conferences to remain involved after move-in. Can
you access records digitally? How are concerns or suggestions handled? Defining systems for staying
connected provides continued advocacy and peace of mind.
Go With Your Gut

Once you’ve done your homework, trust your instincts on which community just feels right. The place
where your loved one will feel happy, uplifted and engaged daily may become obvious after thorough,
thoughtful research. You’ll gain confidence knowing your choice stems from both facts and heart.
The St. Augustine nursing home search may feel daunting at first glance. But breaking it down step-by-step makes the process feel empowering and even exciting, too.