Americans are getting older. By 2060, Americans aged 65 and older will make up 24% of the population. A 2017 survey revealed that 57% of Americans believe this is a problem.

But there are solutions. Hospice care can comfort an individual who is at the end of their life. They can receive four separate levels of hospice care to manage their various symptoms.

But what exactly is hospice care? What is hospice care at home, and how does it compare to inpatient measures? What can a family receive in terms of support?

Answer these questions and you can help people be pain-free and comfortable. Here is your quick hospice care guide.

What Is Hospice Care?

Hospice care is health care for individuals who have a terminal illness. A doctor must determine that a person has six months or less to live.

Procedures are designed to mitigate pain and increase their quality of life. A person will stop receiving treatments that can cure an illness. But if their condition improves, they can transition to curative measures.

Hospice treatments can include family therapy sessions, medications, and bereavement care. The family is included in the care. They can go to therapists for support whenever they need it.

Medicare organizes hospice care into four separate levels. A person may progress through all four in order. They may skip one, or they may only use one or two.

Hospice care is independent of palliative care. Palliative care helps people manage their ongoing health conditions.

It can include similar measures to hospice care like spiritual support. But people can take curative treatments alongside palliative ones.

Routine Home Care

Routine home care is the first level of hospice care. It is a basic level of treatment that meets a person’s essential needs.

Doctors expect people at this stage to improve steadily over time. An individual remains in their home, though they can leave to receive other treatments.

Nursing is a common service that many people receive. A nurse may come to clean the individual, give them medication, and perform basic medical procedures.

Many individuals also receive physical and occupational therapy. They can improve their sense of balance and dexterity. They can learn how to use tools like walkers and canes.

An individual can get help from their loved ones. Family members may be expected to give medication and perform tasks like dress wounds. They remain in touch with a medical professional who can give them advice whenever they need it.

Continuous Home Care

Continuous home care takes place during moments of crisis. A person may suffer from symptoms like difficulty breathing and extreme pain.

A family member can call for a nurse to remain in the house. The nurse will administer care so the individual’s symptoms are under control. They stay until the person can return to basic care.

Family members act in family roles during this stage of care. Yet a nurse may ask them for help. This is especially important if the person is disoriented and needs comfort from their loved ones.

A person can receive continuous care for several days. If more advanced treatments are needed, they can go to inpatient care.

General Inpatient Care

Inpatient care occurs whenever a person’s symptoms cannot be managed at home. The signs that a person needs assisted living are similar to the signs for inpatient care. They will go to an inpatient clinic to receive advanced treatment.

There are several locations that a person can go to. They can go into a free-standing hospice facility. They can also go to a hospice unit inside a hospital or nursing facility.

The symptoms someone may have may be similar to the ones they had under continuous home care. But they may be more intense, or the individual may require closer supervision. This makes staying in an inpatient facility necessary.

Doctors will try to give the best care they can. Their goal is to allow a person to return home once their symptoms have improved. They can run tests and perform surgeries in order to do so.

An individual can choose to go to an inpatient center as well. They may want more room or amenities than they can get at home. Most hospice centers are designed to provide amenities akin to those that people can receive in their homes.

Respite Care

Respite care comprises treatments for family members and loved ones. At any point during an individual’s course of treatment, their family members can ask for them to be admitted into an inpatient center. This will give them a break while their loved one continues to get care.

The family can go on vacation, attend to work, and complete household tasks. The medical team at the center will remain in touch with them. If their loved one’s condition changes, they can go to the center.

Respite care can last a few days at the most. The family is expected to return and help with their loved one’s care. If they need more time, they can transition their family member to general inpatient care.

They can also receive different services from therapists. They can talk to a chaplain or a psychotherapist and work on problem-solving strategies for their stress.

The Levels of Hospice Care

Hospice care promotes comfort during an individual’s final days. Family members and doctors attend to them so they experience less pain. The levels of hospice care all provide similar amounts of care.

But they offer different resources. During basic care, the individual remains at home and receives services from loved ones. Continuous care resolves emergencies with a nurse’s help.

Inpatient care manages major symptoms and provides clinical tools. Respite care is a temporary version of inpatient care so family members can relax.

Let everyone know about your services. Nursing More helps you build a hospice website. Contact us today.

About 84% of people trust reviews they read online as much as they do personal recommendations from friends. Google reviews can help people learn more about your nursing home from first-hand accounts. You can improve your nursing home’s online reputation and attract new patients.

By learning how to get more reviews on Google, you can generate more brand awareness and trust, too.

Not sure how to increase Google reviews? Here are the seven tips you need to succeed! With these tips, you can encourage people to post reviews on your Google My Business (GMB) listing. 

Then, you can attract more patients and build your business.

Get started with these seven easy tips today!

1. Update Your Google My Business Listing

Your Google My Business listing helps people learn more about your nursing home. There, they can find your:

  • Business name
  • Address
  • Directions to your nursing home
  • Website
  • Hours
  • Phone number
  • Reviews

If you don’t have a Google My Business listing, you won’t give people the opportunity to post their reviews. In order to learn how to increase Google reviews, start by claiming your listing.

You can claim your listing here.

Your GMB listing will take up prominent space in the top right corner of a search. When someone searches for local nursing homes, yours might appear. If they search for you by name, your listing will appear first.

You can then use your Google My Business listing to attract more people to your nursing home.

Once you claim your GMB listing, make sure the information is up-to-date. If your address or phone number ever changes, update your listing right away. Otherwise, you could confuse prospects.

Do you already have patients who love your nursing home? Ask them to post their reviews on your Google My Business listing. 

Check the reviews you have so far, too. Start commenting to each one with a personal message. Responding to your reviews will show people you’re listening.

You can update your GMB listing with additional information, including photos and videos of your nursing home. Adding images can help you attract more people to your listing.

Once you update your GMB listing, use a plugin to display those reviews on your website. Add a button that links website visitors back to your GMB listing. Use a call-to-action to encourage website visitors to post reviews.

That way, on-the-fence prospects can see your reviews on your website. Happy patients and family members will have easy access to your GMB listing, too!

2. Avoid Purchasing Reviews

As you learn how to get more reviews, it’s important to avoid purchasing reviews.

Purchased reviews look fake. Posting fake reviews will make people think you’re hiding something. They might think patients have nothing good to say about your nursing home.

Purchased reviews can impact your credibility and authenticity. You’ll look ingenuine as a result. 

You shouldn’t purchase or incentivize people to post reviews. Don’t exchange reviews for free gifts. In fact, incentivizing people to post reviews is against Google’s terms and conditions.

Google might penalize your website as a result.

3. Send Emails

If you want to increase Google reviews on your GMB listing, you’ll need a communication strategy. Draft a message to your patients or their family members. Send them an email after the patient’s one-month or one-year anniversary at your nursing home.

Don’t stick to using a cookie-cutter template. Instead, make adjustments to the message to personalize the message for each recipient. For example, you can mention how much you enjoy having the patient at your nursing home.

Creating a personalized message will help you connect with the reader. Otherwise, you might sound robotic or cold.

Then, finish the email by asking the recipient to consider posting their review on your GMB listing.

Consider creating an automated email drip campaign, too. You can ask your patients or their family members to fill out a survey. Then, you can pull quotes from their survey to use as reviews.

4. Ask More Than Once

If you want to increase reviews this year, you need to maximize your opportunities. Don’t hesitate to ask people for reviews more than once. Space out your requests to avoid annoying recipients, though.

Asking more than once will help you remain top-of-mind. Maybe someone didn’t have the time to post a review the last time you asked. Asking more than once will help you avoid missed opportunities.

Craft different messages for these follow-ups. You don’t want to sound repetitive.

5. Gather the Right Tools

If you want to learn how to increase Google reviews for your nursing home, you’ll need the right tools. You’re busy enough running a nursing home. You can save up time in your schedule by using review generation tools.

These tools will ask for reviews for you. You can stay organized without wasting valuable time. 

You can also add a chatbot to your website. The chatbot can help you get more reviews while you run your business. Other automation tools, like email triggers, can save you valuable time and money as well. 

6. Focus on Your Patients

If you want to gather genuine reviews, give your patients an experience worth talking about. Otherwise, you might find their reviews aren’t as positive as you hoped.

Find ways to improve your nursing home. Ask your patients if they’re happy. They might provide you with the suggestions you need to make improvements.

There’s an 80% increase in revenue for businesses that focus on improving customer experiences. Making people happier will encourage them to post positive reviews. Your patients will remain loyal to your nursing home, too.  

Meanwhile, prospects will see the benefits of nursing home care you can offer.

7. Learn to Ask in Person

As you use these tips and increase Google reviews, learn how to ask for reviews on a by-person basis. You can ask for reviews:

  • In text messages
  • Over the phone
  • On social media
  • Through a website thank you page
  • Over email
  • On your invoices
  • On your website’s review page

Asking for reviews will ensure you never miss out on an opportunity.

How to Increase Google Reviews at Your Nursing Home: 7 Tips for Success

Now that you know how to increase Google reviews for your nursing home, get to it! With these tips, you can increase Google reviews online. Your brand reputation will improve as a result. 

As you generate more Google reviews, you can engage prospective patients and set your nursing home up for success.

Need more help with your nursing home marketing strategy? We can help.

Register today to learn more!

 

As someone looking to open an assisted living facility, it’s important to have things that will attract residents. There are specific things that assisted living residents look for before they decide which facility will work best for their needs.

Below we’re going to detail some factors that your assisted living facility needs to offer to residents to increase the number of people that choose to live there.

Various Daily Activities

One of the nursing home benefits that residents look at before moving into an assisted living facility is the activities provided by the facility. Remember, people want to remain as independent as possible. Therefore, the activities your facility provides should reflect that.

The calendar should be full of activities such as trips to the grocery store, movie nights for residents, and various other excursions that encourage residents to be social and interact with others.

Activities should promote a sense of community and encourage those who once lived alone to nurture new relationships with other residents and the staff.

Spacious Living Areas

The transition from living in a home to a room is a lot for most people. Therefore you want to ensure that the rooms available for residents in your assisted living facilities are spacious and give the residents a sense of being home.

You’ll want to carefully choose floor plans that are open and allow residents to move about the space freely. Your facility should offer rooms that differ in size and price range to fit anyone’s budget.

Fair Prices

The largest factor that helps people decide to move into your facility or not is the price. Although residents will be living their year-round, that doesn’t mean they want to run out of funds to pay for their living accommodations in the first month.

Create packages that appeal to residents of all earning levels. These packages should detail what’s included and other fees that might need to be taken care of.

For example, someone that is total care versus someone that is mostly independent would not pay the same monthly fee because they don’t require the same levels of care. The more care someone requires from your staff, the higher the price will be for them.

Facility Cleanliness Standards

No one wants to live in a place that isn’t clean or organized. Ensure that your staff is trained to follow the proper cleaning procedures regularly.

Residents’ rooms should be cleaned daily, and they should have a schedule for the days that their laundry will be done. If your facility isn’t upholding cleaning standards, someone might likely look for another facility.

The cleanliness of your facility shows that residents are prioritized over anything else, and your staff is doing what they should to make residents feel comfortable and at home.

Daily Meals

Nothing is appealing about having the same meals over and over each week. Potential residents will want to inquire about the meals provided to residents in your facility.

Can their order be personalized? What times are meals delivered? Do residents have to eat in the dining area?

These are a few of the questions that a potential resident may have when asking about food. Ensure that your facility provides residents several options to choose from.

Your kitchen should also be able to accommodate special instructions for residents that have specific dietary issues. These dietary requirements must be followed to ensure the continued health of residents.

Before someone moves in, there should be a review of their dietary needs to ensure that they are met during each meal. Meeting needs like these for residents increases their satisfaction with the facility.

Staff Experience

Potential residents are going to want to see how the staff interacts with other residents. They’ll want to observe how the staff handles the hustle and bustle of an assisted living facility and take note of those that appear to be overworked.

When staff is overworked, it increases the likelihood of mistakes being made. Older people don’t want to feel like a burden to people. Therefore your staff should always approach residents with care.

Ensure that every so often, your staff goes through a refresher course on the proper techniques and procedures that they should adhere to at all times in the facility. Failure to do so could cause the facility to face heavy penalties or other legal issues should one of HIPPA’s rules be violated.

Being in compliance at all times is essential. There are companies out there that can work with your facility to ensure you remain within compliance regulations no matter what.

Resident Happiness

The last thing that people will look for before deciding to move into your facility is the residents’ satisfaction level. Residents that appear to be thriving and happy are the best marketers for your facility.

People want to know that just because they’re moving into a place that provides them more help with activities of daily living, they don’t have to sacrifice their happiness. Your facility should strive to always improve the quality of life for all residents that reside there.

Attracting Assisted Living Residents 101

Several things assisted living residents look for in a facility before beginning their transition. The first thing they might consider is the amount that they will pay to live there.

They also want to know that your staff is caring and has the proper training needed to take care of them. If you need help advertising your facility, contact Nursing More.

We can help you increase the number of residents you have in your facility. With Nursing More, we strive to help facilities like you create a suitable place for everyone and feel like home for all residents.

We’re waiting to hear from you.

Are you trying to put your nursing home on the map? Whether you’re a new retirement facility or you’re trying to rebrand and reach new people, it’s important that you have the right reputation and marketing.

But how can you do that? Do nursing homes even need any types of marketing or referrals when your nursing home provides a necessary service?

You might be surprised. Something as simple as nursing home reviews can be “make or break” in terms of the success and longevity of your facility.

If this is all new and confusing information to you, we understand and we want to help. Keep reading to learn all about the importance of nursing home reviews and how you can improve your reach by getting them.

Why Are Nursing Home Reviews Helpful?

Running a necessary service, like a nursing home, often leads owners and management to believe that there’s no need to pay attention to reviews. After all, people need you and a lot of recommendations come from word of mouth transferral.

But with the world going more and more digital, it’s important that you understand that online reviews are the new “word of mouth.”

Here are a few benefits of having great reviews for nursing homes.

Good Reviews Build Your Reputation and Trust

When people are looking for reliable nursing homes for themselves or their loved ones, they want to know that they’re going somewhere trustworthy. Many people are afraid of nursing homes, so good reviews show them that people are satisfied or impressed by what you do.

For any type of business, your reputation is everything. A single low-star review isn’t enough to tank your business, but a plethora of good reviews is enough to build trust so more people are inclined to use your nursing home.

While star ratings are helpful, written reviews are often more so. People like to see specific things that they liked or disliked about your facility to make sure that you’ll suit their specific needs.

They Make You Easier to Find Online

Did you know that reviews are actually a marketing tool?

When you’re trying to move your business up the search engine results on Google, you need to have good SEO. You also have to have great reviews on your Google My Business page.

As a nursing home facility, you’re in competition with every other retirement community and nursing home in your area. In cities or counties with large populations, this can mean that you’re competing with dozens of facilities.

When you’re higher up in the search engine, you know that more people will see you and they may be more inclined to use your facility.

How Do I Get Good Nursing Home Reviews?

Now that you know the importance and benefits of a good nursing home review, how are you supposed to build them up?

First, make sure that you have a Google My Business page. While there are plenty of review sites and your reviews will also show up in nursing home directories, Google My Business is often the first thing that people see.

Many people are only inclined to leave reviews on their own if they are very good or very bad. This makes it hard to get consistently positive reviews talking about pleasant and satisfactory experiences (which is the general aim of all nursing home facilities).

First, make sure that you’re offering exemplary service. You should have staff that is all trained and experienced and make sure that your grounds and the indoor of your facility are all clean, modern, and accessible. Make sure your amenities are competitive with other nursing homes nearby.

Once you’ve made sure that you’re offering the best possible care to your residents, consider placing information about leaving reviews on paperwork or at your front desk.

Many people may feel “put on the spot” if you ask for a review out loud, though this isn’t always the case. You don’t want to pressure anyone, but let them know that there’s a place for reviews if they want to use it.

Don’t try to bribe your residents or their family members for positive reviews. If you choose to offer an incentive, make sure that it’s for every kind of review.

What About Negative Reviews?

From time to time, almost every business receives a negative review (or several). Don’t panic. If you have many reviews, these shouldn’t make too much of a dent in your overall rating.

That doesn’t mean that you should ignore these reviews, though.

First, read the review connected to the low star rating and determine whether or not it’s legitimate. From time to time, there may be fake reviews left by competitors or reviews with fake or exaggerated information from someone who was in the wrong.

After determining that the review is legitimate, look into the problems that they reported. Where can you improve your services? Is it possible that they just aren’t a good match, or are you lacking somewhere?

Remember, negative reviews are still helpful as long as they offer constructive information.

It’s a good idea to have someone respond to reviews in a compassionate and professional way to let them know that you apologize for their experience and would like to know how you could help. Mention that they should contact you privately to ensure that you’re able to have a real conversation.

Never argue or get defensive. This looks worse than a bad review. You can, however, offer a rebuttal if it’s neutral.

Does Your Nursing Home Have Good Reviews? 

If you run a wonderful nursing home facility, it’s likely that you have satisfied residents and family members. If this is the case, you may already have great reviews.

If not, take steps to increase your good nursing home reviews. You’ll draw in new residents, increase your overall visibility, and build trust within your community.

If you’re looking to increase the reach of your nursing home facility, we want to help put you on the map. At NursingMore, we connect people with their ideal facilities so they can find appropriate care. Register to choose a plan and increase your business today.

In the United States, only 2% of people over the age of 65 live in assisted living facilities. However, there are likely many more people who should consider living in assisted living centers to help with their health problems.

Do you want to learn more about finding care for seniors and the benefits of assisted living? Keep reading these 8 signs that it’s time to consider assisted living for your older relatives.

1. Frequent Accidents

One of the biggest signs that your loved one may need to consider living in nursing homes is that they have frequent accidents. As people age, they are more likely to lose their balance and fall. In fact, according to the CDC, about 36 million seniors in the United States fall each year.

These falls result in over 30,000 deaths each year.

If your loved one has frequent accidents, it may mean that they are unable to live on their own. When you notice increased accidents or other injuries, make sure you find your loved one proper care.

2. Medical Conditions That Are Difficult to Manage

Another common reason that people need to find options for assisted living is when they have medical conditions that are difficult to manage. These conditions may require professional care or may be worsening.

For example, many seniors begin experiencing memory difficulties as they age. Whether these are diagnosed medical conditions, like dementia or Alzheimers, they may also just be a result of old age. However, if these problems worsen, you likely need the help of a medical professional.

Many assisted living centers or nursing homes offer memory care that is dedicated to patients with these memory issues. Regardless of the medical conditions your loved one faces, the employees at assisted living centers are trained to help.

3. Difficult to Meet Personal Needs

If your loved one is unable to deal with or meet their personal needs, it is time for them to live in an assisted living center. For example, if they are unable to walk on their own, dress on their own, or even make food for themselves, it means that they need someone to take care of them.

It is also important to find an assisted living center for your loved one if you are unable to meet your own personal needs. If you are so busy taking care of your loved one that you are unable to take care of yourself, you need to find professional help for them.

4. Your Loved One Wanders off

Often, older adults with memory problems have a hard time understanding where they are and they may wander off. This can cause many dangerous situations and they may not be able to find their way home.

This is a common symptom of dementia and Alzheimers. While you can try to prevent this with door and window alarms and other preventative measures, it is difficult to keep your older relatives safe when they are prone to wandering away.

If you notice this behavior in a loved one, it may be time to find a new approach for them.

5. Declining Health

Declining health is a common problem for elderly adults and may mean they need to live in an assisted living center where they can get the proper care. For example, many older adults suffer from strokes, injuries from falls, and more. While you can try to help them in their own home, some conditions require much more care.

When you get help from assisted living centers, your relatives will be treated by professionals who can help them with their increasing health problems.

6. Your Loved One Is Isolated

When older adults are isolated, it becomes more difficult for them to complete daily tasks. It can lead to health issues, anxiety, and more.

There are many reasons why older adults may feel isolated. Maybe they are unable to attend events because they are unable to travel or drive. If their spouse has passed away, it is easy for them to feel lonely.

Regardless of the cause of their isolation, it can create many problems for your loved ones. By bringing them to an assisted living center, they will have much more interaction and care than they are provided at home.

7. You Are Unable to Deal With Other Responsibilities

As a caretaker, you may feel like you are unable to take care of your other responsibilities when you are caring for a loved one. When you are unable to deal with other aspects of your life because you are taking care of an older relative, it is a sign that they need to find an assisted living center.

8. Nursing Home Care May Be Less Expensive

Finally, finding a nursing home or assisted living center may be less expensive for your loved one. When they have professional caregivers coming to their homes, the prices can skyrocket. For example, many elderly people may require at-home physical therapy appointments, a house cleaner, or even a home nurse to take care of them.

If these prices are getting out of hand, you can save potentially save money in assisted living centers.

Find Assisted Living Centers Today

It can be a difficult choice to move your loved one into an assisted living center. However, it may be necessary. Whether your loved one has worsening medical conditions or if you are simply unable to provide the care that they need, it is vital that you find a reliable assisted living center to help!

If you are looking for a great assisted living center, NursingMore can help! Our website offers reviews of nursing homes and we can help you find a great center for your older relatives. Contact us today to learn more!

With an aging population, more and more of us find ourselves seeking appropriate care for our elderly relatives. Currently, in the United States, around 4.5% of the population resides in a nursing home.

Choosing nursing homes is not an easy task. It will be more than just a home for your loved one. It will ensure that they enjoy their twilight years in comfort and with dignity.

Read on for our guide to 7 factors to consider when choosing nursing homes.

1. Evaluate the Cost

Before you begin your search in earnest you will need to work out the budget.

This calculation will be between the amount covered by your loved one’s insurance and their personal savings. When comparing nursing home costs, you will need to strike a balance between budget and facilities. Balancing costs with needs will allow you to find the best home for your loved one, at a realistic price.

2. Check Their Certification

If a nursing home has been certified by Medicare and Medicaid, you can have greater confidence in the standards of care. Both Medicare and Medicaid have stringent standards. Nursing homes must meet them to receive certification.

Both Skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) and nursing facilities (NFs) receive unannounced surveys. These happen periodically to check standards.

3. Get Everyone on Board

Often in families, there are only one or maybe two primary carers. The load of choosing nursing homes often falls to them. But everyone in the family will want to visit your loved one when they go into a nursing home.

It’s good to call a family meeting. Make sure that you include your loved one in the discussion, and value their input – they will be living there after all! Spend time together discussing nursing home options and comparing nursing home costs.

No choice will be ideal for everyone. By getting everybody’s input though, it will help everybody feel invested and happy with the decision in the future.

4. Get the Location Right

For the happiness of your loved one, your family, and yourself it is very important to get the location right. If the nursing home is too far away or is difficult to access, it will be hard to make regular visits.

Seniors thrive when they have regular contact with their family and friends. If at all possible, choose a nursing home that is close to their local area. This will help them to remain part of the community, and be good for their mental and emotional health.

5. Consider Specialist Services

It has likely been a long and difficult road to come to the decision to move your loved one into a nursing home. Often the decision is taken because it is simply no longer practical for your loved one to live alone. Possibly their needs are now too great to be cared for in their own home.

Work with your loved one’s primary care physician to get an understanding of exactly the level of care they need now. Also, consider the care they are likely to need in the future. If they have a degenerative condition, such as dementia, will the home be able to provide continued care as the disease progresses?

Talk to nursing staff in the homes you are considering about the types of services they provide. Discuss your loved one’s care plan with them before making any decision. If at all possible, choose a home that has the facilities to give them ongoing care. This may eliminate the need for a stressful move in the future.

6. What Activities for Patients Do They Have?

Most patients living in nursing homes may have limited mobility, and doubtless, none are as active as they once were. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t still want to enjoy a good time!

Many nursing homes have a range of activities for seniors that your loved one may really enjoy. These could include entertainment services, therapeutic art and music classes, and concerts.

They may also include some wellness and pampering, such as manicures, pedicures, and hairdressing. Some also arrange to take more able bodies seniors out for visits as appropriate. All of these can help keep life interesting for your loved one between family visits!

7. Read Reviews and Request References

Through the internet, we now have access to more information on nursing homes than ever before. As well as researching the kinds of facilities on offer, we can also read reviews from those who have experienced their services.

It’s true that some reviews can be polarized. It’s more common to write a review when we’re either very happy or very dissatisfied with a service. They can still give you a good general idea though of how the home is regarded. They will help you pick up on the strengths of the home, and things it could do better.

There are also online resources that allow you to find and compare Medicare and Medicaid-approved nursing homes near you.

Some nursing homes may also allow you to read references that have been written by the family of current and former patients. This can give you an insight into the home from the perspective of a loved one and can provide needed reassurance.

Making the Best Decision When Choosing Nursing Homes

Choosing nursing homes is not easy. But if you follow these pointers, you’ll be able to make a good choice. A choice that will improve your loved one’s quality of life. A choice that will give you peace of mind knowing that they’re in safe hands, allowing you to cherish the time you spend together.

Nursing More provides services that help nursing homes promote their locations. We can also help you to be compliant, and engage with those leaving reviews. We have a range of features for nursing homes to help you take your business forward.

Contact us today to find out how we can help you to develop your nursing home business.

Over 90% of people read reviews about local businesses to determine their quality. Chances are, your patients read reviews to learn about your nursing home, too. With fresh reviews, you can boost your brand’s reputation.

You might have an easier time attracting new patients to your care facility as a result.

Generating fresh Google reviews can also boost your search engine ranking. Higher rankings on Google will help you reach more patients. The next time someone looks for a care facility online, your website could appear.

Not sure how to get more Google reviews for your nursing home? Here are three simple tips that can help.

With these tips, you can get more reviews from patients. As your brand’s reputation improves, you can build a relationship based on trust with prospective patients. You can expand your online presence to reach more people, too.

Give your brand the boost it needs with these three simple tips today.

1. Use Your Website and Local SEO

About 60% of people check Google My Business when searching for reviews.

First, take the time to update your Google My Business (GMB) listing. Your GMB listing displays your:

Potential patients can check your GMB listing to learn more about your nursing home. They might click on the link to visit your website, too. If you haven’t claimed your GMB listing yet, start there.

Then, make an effort to direct more people to your GMB listing. You can get more Google reviews to keep your listing fresh.

About 85% of customers believe reviews older than three months are irrelevant. You need to keep generating reviews throughout the year. Otherwise, old reviews might impact your credibility.

Prospective patients might struggle to trust you as a result. Without brand trust, you might struggle to attract new patients.

Consider adding a page that’s dedicated to customer reviews to your website. Then, use a plugin to feed your GMB reviews to the page. Anyone who visits your website will see your latest patient reviews.

Then, add an eye-catching button asking people to post their own reviews on your GMB listing. Link the button to your GMB page. Creating a button will simplify the user experience, encouraging more people to post their reviews.

User Experience Design

If your website is old, outdated, or slow, people might leave without clicking around. They might not click on the button for your GMB listing. You could miss a chance to learn how to increase reviews as a result.

Instead, take the time to update your website with the user experience (UX) in mind. A positive user experience will keep people lingering on your website. You can increase your clickthrough rate and dwell times, too.

Improving these metrics can benefit your search engine rankings. A better search engine ranking can help you:

If you’re neglecting the UX on your website, however, your bounce rate will rise. A high bounce rate can hurt your search engine rankings.

You can work with an experienced digital marketing agency to create a microsite with the UX in mind.

2. Utilize Social Media

If you want to learn how to increase Google reviews for nursing homes, start using social media.

Social media marketing is an effective way to engage your target audience. You can even use your existing reviews from patients to get more Google reviews.

Reformat your Google reviews into an eye-catching branded visual post. You can work with a digital marketing agency or use Canva to design your post. Then, share your post on social media.

Make sure to use hashtags that are relevant to your industry. Then, write an engaging caption. Encourage your followers to post their own Google reviews.

Don’t forget to add a link to your GMB listing.

Providing the link will simplify the process for users. Making the process easier could encourage more people to post their reviews.

Take the time to share reviews from patients throughout the year. In addition to visual posts, you can also create video testimonials. Don’t forget to add a strong call to action to each post encouraging future reviews.

3. Ask in Person

If you want to learn how to increase reviews on your GMB listing this year, consider asking in person.

Pay attention to when people rave about your care facility. If they’re happy, act on that good mood! Encourage them to share their thoughts on your Google My Business listing.

Try to connect with your patients and their children or caregivers. Getting reviews from multiple people can bolster your GMB listing. Meanwhile, prospective patients can get insight from multiple points of view.

For example, you might have a caregiver who wants to find a nursing home for their parent. They might want to hear about your nursing home from other caregivers. Perhaps they’re more concerned about the patient’s perspective.

Learning how to ask in person can take practice.

Don’t hesitate to ask, though. Otherwise, you might miss an opportunity.

Consider creating print materials with a QR code. The QR code can make it easier for people to visit your GMB listing.

If you’re not comfortable with asking in person, consider using email marketing instead. You can share emails that feature your latest reviews from patients. Then, add a button to the end of the email directing people to your GMB listing.

You can learn how to increase reviews while engaging your audience.

Then, review the results from your email campaigns to determine which call to action or subject lines produced the most results.

Perfect Patients: 3 Ways to Get More Google Reviews for Your Nursing Home

Learning how to get more Google reviews doesn’t have to feel complicated. Instead, give these three tips a try. With these strategies, you can get reviews from patients throughout the year.

You can boost your brand’s reputation and start reaching more prospective patients online.

Need help boosting your online visibility? We’re here for you.

Contact our team today to get started.