How to Choose a Nursing Home

Choosing a Nursing Home

• Understand the needs of the future resident.

• Visit nursing homes.

• Check for quality information at the federal website:

• www.medicare.gov/nhcompare

Needs of the future resident

• Special services needed• Dementia/alzheimer units.• Mental health

• Physical therapy/Occupational therapy

• Social activities

• Privacy requirements

Visit the nursing home(s)

• Consider the location.• Note the posting of the most recent

inspection survey.• Use the checklist we’ve provided during

your tour and ask questions.• Community involvement/reputation• Talk with staff and residents• Visit at different hours – mealtimes, early

morning, afternoon.

Nursing Home ChecklistHighlights

• Observe and chat with staff and residents• Are activities held so all residents can participate• Are residents dressed appropriate for the time of

day• Does the facility seem clean, fresh and

comfortable• On first impression, would you feel comfortable

having your loved one live here

Quality Information

You can access the recent inspection survey results, as well as services provided, for any nursing home at

www.medicare.gov/nhcompare

Hospital quality information is also available at

www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov

The Choice is Yours

This will be a subjective decision, made by using two beneficial tools – the checklist and the quality information from inspection results (nursing home compare). While considering all the information you will gather on your facility visit, the final question that will need to be answered is:

“Would you feel comfortable having your loved one live here and would they be enriched?”