While most of Dave Nelson's experiences in nursing homes over the past couple of years were positive, there were problems, said his wife, Kim Nelson.

The Nelsons, along with Tami Wacker, regional ombudsman and operations manager of the East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging, passed along advice for those who must place a family member in a long-term care facility.

Plan ahead

Prepare for the unexpected. Make sure you and your spouse have a will and adequate life insurance, Dave Nelson advised.

You have rights

Remember that when you go into a long-term care facility, you don't cease to have rights, said Wacker, who advocates for long-term care residents.

Laws and regulations support the rights of long-term care residents. That includes the right to refuse care, she said. A nursing home resident must be listened to - even if someone else has power of attorney - until a judge declares the resident to be incompetent. Power of attorney simply means that person is an agent of the resident but the resident remains the principal, Wacker said.

Investigate first

Before choosing a long-term care facility, visit several, Wacker said. Observe how staff members treat residents. Talk with representatives of the facility to determine whether they simply give residents their medicine or whether they consider residents as individuals, respond to their social needs and are willing to advocate for the residents.

Contact the ombudsman in that area to find out whether the ombudsman has had problems with that facility. Check the nursing home comparison information at www.medicare.gov. The site includes surveys and complaints from the public health system.

Study the contract

Don't be pressured to sign a contract right away. Read it. Ask questions. Take it with you and have your lawyer look it over, Kim Nelson suggested.

Ask for explanations

If you have questions about a bill, ask. If you think coverage was denied unfairly, ask how you can appeal. If you are asked to leave a facility, recognize that you can't be asked to leave immediately, Wacker said. There is a discharge process that takes 30 days.

Speak up

If you experience a problem or witness something that is inappropriate, ask to speak with the nursing home administrator. If you fear retaliation, tell that to the administrator; better yet, put it in writing.

Have a written copy of everything, Nelson said. You may need it later.

Help is available

If the resident is 60 or older, call the regional ombudsman at (309) 829-6018 ext. 209 or go to www.state.il.us/aging. If the resident is less than 60, call Equip for Equality at (800) 758-0464.