Although we'd like to avoid spending time in a skilled nursing facility (aka nursing home), sometimes it is necessary. For example, after surgery, you may need to recover in one of these facilities before going home. If you find yourself in this position, you must do your due diligence before making a choice. The most important thing to know is that you do have a choice.

Become well-informed before the time comes. If you are scheduled for surgery and know that you'll need to stay in a facility, get to know them. Researching online is easy, fast and simple. The Medicare website provides comprehensive information and can be searched by name, zip code, city, state and county.

Once you've determined the area you'd like to research, a list of facilities with 1- to 5-star ratings are provided. The ratings are broken down into three categories: Health Inspections, Staffing and Quality Measures. The website also shows if the facilities participate in Medicare or Medicaid, how many certified beds they provide, as well as the type of ownership, i.e. LLC or Corporation. If you click on the facility you can also see specific Health Inspections, Nursing Home Staffing, Quality Measures, Fire Safety Inspections, Penalties and Complaints.

There's a chance that you may spend a good amount of time in one of these facilities during your recovery. That's why it's so important to learn about them before you need to go.

According to the Genworth Study we spoke about last week, a Skilled Nursing Facility room costs between $196 and $227 per day. If you are paying for this service out of pocket, it becomes even more important to find the right facility.

Remember, you do have a choice (based on bed availability) in what facility you decide to use.

As always, speak with your doctors concerning this matter. They may be able to give additional insight on the facilities.

The Medicare website is: www.medicare.gov/NHCompare then click on Find and Compare Nursing Homes.

For questions about Home Care contact Home Helpers at: (208) 769-9560 or got to www.CoeurdAleneHomeCare.com.

Listen to Connie Clark this Saturday at 4 p.m. on KYMS 89.9 FM when she speaks with Amy Bartoo from North Idaho Home Health.

Connie Clark is a Certified Senior Advisor at Home Helpers/Direct Link. She can be reached at (208) 769-9560 - North Idaho, (509) 999-8440 - Spokane.