With nursing home quality issues in the news lately, based on a state auditor general’s report and a multi-million dollar jury award in a Beaver County injury case, it seemed a good time to check in with a longtime leading advocate on long-term care issues from the consumer’s perspective.

For our newest Aging Edge Q-and-A, we consulted Diane Menio, executive director of the Philadelphia-based Center for Advocacy on the Rights and Interests of the Elderly. She walked us through some basic planning, research and decision-making steps people ought to take in choosing a nursing home instead of automatically choosing whatever comes first on a list provided by a hospital, or, as many people do, just picking whatever home is closest. (Proximity is very useful for making frequent visits, but it’s not the only consideration.)

Ms. Menio’s advice is well worth a look for anyone who may be faced with that difficult decision many families want to avoid as long as possible. But just because few people want to enter a nursing home, it doesn’t mean to ignore the appropriate information-gathering and fact-weighing that can help ensure they end up in one likely to offer them the most satisfaction.

Gary Rotstein: grotstein@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1255.

First Published: August 9, 2016, 4:59 a.m.