Finding the right home

1. Gathering information on Nursing Homes

Once you have decided that a nursing home is the right choice for you, it is time to gather information about the nursing homes in your area.

Finding the nursing home that will best meet your needs can be a difficult and time consuming task. The more info you have, the easier this task will be and the more likely that you will find the home that is right for you.

Making a decision that a nursing home is the right place for you and looking around at different homes is important to do before you are hospitalized for a medical crisis.

It is best to have several nursing homes in mind should the need arise.

2. There are several ways that you can learn about the nursing homes in your area:

• Phone book
   
• Local Office on Aging
   
• Long Term Care Ombudsman
   
• Word of Mouth
   
• Friends and neighbors - ask if they know people who have stayed in local nursing homes.

Watch for articles in newspapers and magazines and for television programs that deal with nursing homes. Pick up information on nursing homes from social service agencies or local officer for the aging and local health departments. Contact community groups and advocacy groups.

Ask family and friends about their own experiences. If you know someone who is in a nursing home, visit that person and ask questions. Ask questions of key personnel at the facilities you visit: the administrator, social worker director, nursing director, medical director. Make your own judgments. A caring home should welcome both your desire to visit and the questions you ask.

Call the nursing home you are interested in and make an appointment to meet with the admissions staff (usually a social worker). Ask to take a tour.

Continue on to "Evaluating a Nursing Home"  >

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