Think about how much your own home means to you and how much time you spent selecting it. Choosing a nursing home should involve just as much care and consideration because, after all, it will be home to your loved one. Ask doctors, hospital discharge planners, social workers and friends for recommendations. Then, as you start making your selections, you will want to:

• Obtain a catalog of nursing homes from your state department of health, state agency on aging or an association representing nursing homes in your area.
• Start looking well in advance if possible—before a crisis pressures you into a hasty decision.
• Make your first visit to a nursing home without an appointment. Try to get an overall impression by looking at as many public areas as possible, such as the dining room, kitchen and activity room. Talk to the residents and ask them how they like the facility—good points as well as bad. Talk to family members of residents and ask for their opinions. If one facility seems appealing, make several visits at different times of the day to see what activities are taking place and if the staffing and atmosphere changes.
• Ask your health department whether the home has ever received an Intent to Deny License because of sanitary or fire violations or patient care inadequacies.
• Ask about the M.D. who serves as medical director. Does he or she have complaints against them or have they been disciplined by state medical boards or federal agencies?
• Ask to see the results of the latest state inspection of the facility. This is public information, and facilities are required to post it.
• Ask friends with firsthand experience for recommendations.

Before making a final decision, visit several nursing homes and take careful comparison notes. Use the following checklist to help you make the best selection.