Check on quality of care centers

Recently Medicare and the official U.S. government site for people with Medicare have initiated a star rating system for evaluating care centers.

The purpose of this system is to give the public a more efficient method of tracking patient care and helping the public choose a good and caring environment for its loved ones in need of help.

There are five levels of this star rating system. The more stars the better.

Equate these levels as report cards, with grades of A to F.

Since our relatives, friends and loved ones are so very important to us, we want to be informed when we entrust this important decision to a care center. Using the help that is available to the public in making an informed decision is very important.

Visiting prospective facilities personally gives a sense of the attitudes, care and environment being offered.

Medicare's nursing home comparison Website is www.medicare.gov/NHCompare

Iowa Department of Inspections and Appeals nursing home “report cards” are at https://dia-hfd.iowa.gov/DIA_HFD/Home.do

Marlys Floyd

Cedar Rapids