A Guide on Choosing a Healthy Nursing Home

The most important feature to consider when choosing a nursing home is the quality of care that it provides. Before making this decision for a loved one, visit a few facilities, observe the condition of the building, its rooms, and residents and answer the following questions:

Is the facility licensed by the state?

Is the facility clean, well maintained, and free of objectionable odors?

Are staff members friendly, helpful and respectful to visitors and residents?

Are the rooms clean, comfortably furnished, well lit, and cheerful?

Do the residents appear to be appropriately dressed, clean, and well groomed?

Are there enough staff members to take care of the number of residents?

Are there handrails along the hallways and grab-bars in the bathrooms?

Does the facility have rehabilitation and exercise areas, a quiet place with reading material, and a chapel?

Does the facility have an activities director and scheduled social events that are appropriate for elderly people?

Are the dining room and kitchen clean?

Are menus nutritious? Do menus indicate that a variety of foods are offered? Can you sample a meal? How are the special dietary needs of patients handled?

If you have an opportunity, ask some residents (privately) what they like and dislike about the nursing home.

What are the monthly fees? Can you afford this nursing home?

Contact your state’s division of aging to obtain information about the facility’s inspection reports.

Before making a final decision, visit the nursing home at least one additional unscheduled time to make another set of observations.