Those who cannot return permanently to their homes make short visits, health permitting. In some states Medicaid-certified nursing homes are required by law to hold a place for a resident who wants to leave the facility for a few days. You can find out about the law in your state by asking the nursing home administrator or by calling the state Medicaid office. Physicians, families, and staff should truthfully answer the resident's questions about the possibility of going home. Nursing homes should not smell of urine or feces.
Some residents do lose control of bowel and bladder functions.
Many times residents who can regain control are offered retraining programs to correct the problem. For others, proper attention to bathing and changes of clothing eliminate stale odors. The facility that is furnished with materials that do not absorb and retain odors and is kept clean with today's effective cleaning materials should have no noticeable unpleasant smell. Because nursing home care costs so much, the staff should wait on the residents. In reality, though, if the nursing home is to meet the goals of rehabilitation, maintenance, prevention, and support, the staff must encourage each resident to do as much as possible for himself.