Resources and references
Overviews
Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home – Provides information to help individuals, family members, caregivers, and those who assist them find and compare nursing homes, and make informed decisions about nursing home care. (Medicare.gov)
How to Choose the Right Nursing Home, Step by Step – Overview on whether a nursing home is necessary, doing the legwork to find the right home, and a checklist of questions to ask. (US News)
Evaluating nursing homes
Nursing Home Compare – Searchable database that helps you compare and rate Medicare- and Medicaid-certified nursing homes in the U.S., including staffing, health inspections and quality measures. (Medicare.gov)
Search Senior Housing Facilities – US News and World Report provides a searchable database of nursing homes, organizing data provided by Medicare. (US News and World Report)
Citizen Advocacy Groups – Provides information about citizen advocacy groups in your area, as well as contact information for all state ombudsmen. (National Citizens’ Coalition for Nursing Home Reform).
Choosing a Nursing Home – Tips on finding and evaluating facilities, and details on financing this type of care. (The Health Pages)
Checklists for visiting a nursing home
Nursing Home Checklist – A comprehensive list of issues to consider while selecting an appropriate facility, under categories: First Impression, Living Area and Accommodations, Moving In/Contracts/Finances, Health/Personal Care/Services, Social & Recreational, Staff, Food, Licensure & Certification. (CarePathways.com)
Making the transition
Transition to Care – Helps both residents and family members ease the adjustment to Nursing Home living. (CareConversations.org)
Nursing home costs
Medicare Coverage of Skilled Nursing Facility Care – Detailed information about Medicare coverage of skilled nursing care, including examples, as well as ways to get help paying for skilled care. (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid services)
Guide to Long Term Care Insurance – Information about policies, how to evaluate them, and questions to ask. (America’s Health Insurance Plans)
Medicaid Rules – A general overview of what assets are considered in qualification for Medicaid, and what protections there are for a spouse. (ElderLaw)
