Making the determination that a family member can no longer care for themselves in their own home is a very difficult one. Once the decision has been made that nursing home care is necessary, thought must be given to the specific needs of the individual. The location of the home and its distance from other family members and friends who will want to visit is an important one, but choosing a home that provides quality care to its residents should be the top priority.

1. Start by asking family, friends and others in the community what they may know about specific homes you might be considering. The past experiences of others with a particular home will probably give you more insight than any information you could gather from other sources. Attorneys who concentrate in the areas of elder law and nursing home neglect and abuse will also have knowledge regarding homes which might be financially unstable or would otherwise be a home that you don’t want to consider. 

2.  Do your own research. Check out our “Helpful Links” page to find websites which will guide you to specific information about nursing homes in your area. 

3.  Schedule a time to visit each home. After you have made your “short list” of homes to visit, be prepared to spend some time visiting each one.  You will likely be given a brief tour of the facility by its Administrator or other office admission personnel and you will be advised of the services that the nursing home offers. Ask questions and make notes while conducting your visit.  This will help you and your family to compare the various homes to determine which one will best suit your family’s needs.

4.  Visit again. If you and your family are leaning towards a certain nursing home, make a second unscheduled visit, preferably on a weekend when nursing homes tend to have less staff members scheduled to work. You may also have the opportunity to meet and ask questions of other family members regarding their experiences with the nursing home.

Our office has prepared an informative list of proposed questions and things to look for when you visit the nursing homes on your list.