There are many resources for finding nursing homes in Washington. The Nursing Home Locator is an example of one such resource. This site contains information such as profiles and inspection reports about Washington nursing home. This information is in PDF format. This resource can help you find the best care possible for your loved one.
Cost of care
Nursing home care can cost a lot depending on what you need. In Washington, the average monthly rate for a private room is more than $10,000. The cost of long-term nursing home care is usually covered by Medicaid, private funds, and nursing home insurance. Washington's legislature passed legislation to establish a public LTC insurance program, which will provide benefits starting in 2025.
Inspections
The number of complaints about nursing homes has increased dramatically over the past seven years but funding has remained stagnant. Now, President Biden is calling for Congress to provide almost $500 million more for health and safety inspections. This would mean a nearly 25% increase.
Compliance letters
Every year, regulatory agencies conduct surveys of skilled nursing facilities and nursing homes to assess their compliance with state regulations. These surveys are intended to help residents make informed decisions about their care. Many state survey agencies do not have sufficient staff to conduct required annual surveys. They are also often too busy to pursue major violations.
Levels of staff
Washington State's nursing home staffing situation is still an issue. Staffing shortages remain a concern with nearly 4000 of these facilities in Washington. The situation is not universal. Some nursing homes have low staffing levels while others report high numbers. The current shortfall in nursing home staffing is the result of a number of factors, including management styles and staffing patterns.
Rates for reimbursement
Reimbursement rates for nursing homes are determined by a series of cost formulas that vary from facility to facility. These formulae are based on historical costs which have been adjusted for inflation. This method can be used to limit costs more than a retrospective one. It also lowers Medicaid expenses per recipient. State policymakers can use reimbursement rates to limit growth in healthcare spending.
Nurse delegators
A nurse delegator is a registered nurse who delegated care to another registered nurse. While they retain the responsibility for client care, they delegate some tasks to a nursing assistant. The caregiver is trained to meet specific standards and the registered nurse supervises them.