When you visit nursing homes to decide which is best for your loved one, use these questions as a guide.
Basic Information
Is the nursing home certified?
- Yes. By Medicare
- By Medicaid
- No
Does the nursing home have the level of care that you need (for example, skilled, custodial)?
- Yes
- No
Appearance of Residents
Are residents clean, appropriately dressed for the season or time of day, and well groomed?
- Yes
- No
Living Spaces
Is the nursing home free from overwhelming unpleasant odors?
- Yes
- No
Does it appear clean and well-kept?
- Yes
- No
Is the lighting good?
- Yes
- No
Is smoking allowed or restricted to certain areas?
- Yes
- No
Staff
Does the relationship between the staff and residents appear to be warm, polite, and respectful?
- Yes
- No
Do staff members knock on the door before entering a resident’s room?
- Yes
- No
Do they refer to the residents by name?
- Yes
- No
Is there a full-time, Registered Nurse (RN) other than the administrator or director of nursing in the nursing home at all times?
- Yes
- No
Does the same team of nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) work with the same resident 4 to 5 days a week?
- Yes
- No
Are CNAs involved in care planning meetings?
- Yes
- No
Is a full-time social worker on staff?
- Yes
- No
Is a licensed doctor on staff?
- Yes
- No
Can the doctor be reached at all times?
- Yes
- No
Has the management team worked together for at least one year?
- Yes
- No
Residents’ Rooms
Are residents allowed to have personal belongings and furniture in their rooms?
- Yes
- No
Do residents have storage space (for example, a closet or drawers) in their rooms?
- Yes
- No
Are there policies and procedures to protect residents’ possessions?
- Yes
- No
Hallways, Stairs, Lounges, and Bathrooms
Does the nursing home have smoke detectors and sprinklers?
- Yes
- No
Are all common areas, resident rooms, and doorways designed for wheelchair use?
- Yes
- No
Are handrails in hallways and grab bars in bathrooms?
- Yes
- No
Menus and Food
Do residents have a choice of food items at meals (Ask if a favorite food is served.)?
- Yes
- No
Are nutritious snacks available upon request?
- Yes
- No
Do staff members help residents eat and drink if help is needed?
- Yes
- No
Activities
May residents, including those who are unable to leave their rooms, able to choose to participate in a variety of activities?
- Yes
- No
Are outdoor areas available for residents to use?
- Yes
- No
Do staff members help residents go outside?
- Yes
- No
Safety and Care
Is an emergency evacuation plan in place?
- Yes
- No
Does the nursing home hold regular fire drills?
- Yes
- No
Do residents still see their own doctors?
- Yes
- No
Are arrangements made with a nearby hospital for emergencies?
- Yes
- No
Has the nursing home corrected all deficiencies (failure to meet one or more federal or state requirements) on its last state inspection report?
- Yes
- No