Multiple Sclerosis Health Center

Multiple Sclerosis and Nursing Home Care

What Should I Look for in a Nursing Home? continued...

Medication and health care

• What is the policy regarding storage of medication and assistance with medication?
• Is self-administration of medication allowed?
• Who coordinates visits from a physical, occupational, or speech therapist if needed?

Services

Is staff available to provide 24-hour assistance with activities of daily living, if needed? Daily living activities include:

• Dressing
• Eating
• Mobility
• Hygiene and grooming
• Bathing and toileting
• Using the telephone

Room features

• Are rooms for single and double occupancy available?
• Is a 24-hour emergency response system accessible from the room?
• Are bathrooms private? Do they accommodate wheelchairs and walkers?
• Can residents bring their own furnishings? What may they bring?
• Do all rooms have a telephone? How is billing handled for long-distance calls?

Social and recreational activities

• Is there an activities program?
• Are the activities posted for residents?
• Do most of the residents at an activity seem to be participating?

Food service

• Does the nursing home provide three nutritionally-balanced meals a day, seven days a week?
• Is the food hot, attractive and tasty?
• Are snacks available?
• May residents request special foods?
• Is drinking water always accessible?
• Are common dining areas available or do residents eat meals in their rooms?
• Are there set meal times?
• How are special diets handled?
• Is assistance available for residents who need help with eating?