How to Choose a Nursing Home: Brief Version

What is a nursing home?

Sometimes people have an illness or condition that makes it hard for them to live at home. A nursing home is a place where people can live while getting nursing and personal care.

People live in nursing homes for many different reasons.

• They may need to stay for a short time after surgery, stroke, or other illness.
• Their caregivers at home may need a break.
• They may need long-term medical care.
• It is not safe for them to live alone.
• They may be dying and need comfort care.

What kinds of care do nursing homes give?

All nursing homes should offer these kinds of care:

• Nurses to give medicine, take care of wounds, and give other types of medical care.
• Doctors who visit routinely or as often as needed.
• Staff to help with daily activities, such as eating, going to the bathroom, and dressing.
• Therapists to help with things like exercise, daily tasks, and speaking.
• Meals and a safe place to live.
• Programs to help meet social and spiritual needs.

What should you look for in a nursing home?

A good nursing home should:

• Be safe, comfortable, and clean.
• Encourage the older person to keep the skills he or she has.
• Help with activities that the older person can no longer do by him- or herself.
• Keep track of his or her health.
• Allow for personal choices as much as possible.
• Make sure he or she gets the care and diet needed.
• Help the person adjust to their new home.

How do you choose a nursing home?

Start by visiting at least 3 nursing homes in an area that is near friends and family. You can get a list of nursing homes from a hospital social worker or the local Agency on Aging.

It's a good idea to talk to your state or local ombudsmen.

• They may be able to tell you which nursing homes are good, and which ones are not.
• Call your local Agency on Aging or your state's department of aging to find the ombudsmen in your area.

Phone each nursing home you are thinking about.

• Ask about waiting lists and what is needed to be admitted.
• Ask for a visit.

Visit the nursing homes.

• Visit at different times of the day without calling first.
• Look at all areas of the home.
• Talk to the people who live there and their families to find out how they like the care.

Think about:

• What the home looks like. Does it feel safe and comfortable? Would you like to live there?
• What services and programs they offer. Are there enjoyable activities?
• What the staff is like.
• How good the food is.

Try to see if the people who live in the nursing home are well cared for.

• Are they clean, well-groomed, and dressed in clean clothing?
• Does the staff treat people living in the nursing home with respect?

Talk with the administrator

Make an appointment to meet with the administrator. This gives you a chance to ask many questions. Here are some of the things you may want to ask:

• Is the nursing home Medicaid or Medicare certified?
• How do you handle emergencies? Is there always a doctor to call? Is there always a nurse in the building?
• Is there a support group for families?
• Can you care for people with special needs?
• Do you have a written list of the services and supplies that are included in the basic rate? What services and supplies cost extra?

Also ask for:

• A copy of the admission contract. Ask about anything you don't understand. Get advice from a lawyer if you need it. See about changing the contract to better suit your needs.
• Ask for a copy of the latest state survey. This shows the latest inspection of the nursing home. Make sure that the home has corrected any major problems.

Choosing a nursing home is not easy. But by looking at all your choices, you and your loved one can make the best choice.