CHOOSING THE RIGHT NURSING HOME_______________
This guide has been adapted from the “Guide to
Choosing a Nursing Home” distributed by the Centers
for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
This information is designed to help people find and
compare nursing homes. It can help you and your family
make the best choice, whether you are planning ahead
or making an unexpected decision. Only you can decide
if a nursing home is the right choice for you. Choosing
a nursing home may be very stressful and can have a
tremendous emotional effect on you and your loved ones.
It is best to plan ahead, visit and compare several nursing
homes, and make financial plans early. Planning ahead
gives you and your family more control and will help
ensure that your needs are met and you receive quality
care. You want to be comfortable, secure and cared for
properly.
Many of those who will use this information provide
care and/or help make health care decisions for another
person. Choosing a nursing home is a difficult yet
necessary decision many caregivers must help make. Your
support for your loved one can make transitioning from
home to a nursing home much easier. Be your loved one’s
advocate by observing their care and living conditions
and discussing concerns with the staff. Remember, it is
important to include the person who needs nursing home
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care in making decisions whenever possible. Always keep
their needs in mind.
Consider whether a nursing home is the best choice for
you. A nursing home provides care to people who cannot
be cared for at home or in the community. For people who
cannot take care of themselves due to physical, emotional
or mental problems, nursing homes can provide a wide
range of personal care and health services. This care is
generally called custodial or non-skilled.
Steps to Choosing a Nursing Home
1. Find out how nursing homes compare in quality.
Quality care means doing the right thing, at the right
time, in the right way, for the right person and having
the best possible results. Nursing homes are certified to
make sure they meet certain federal health and safety
requirements.
2. Find out about the nursing homes in your area. Visit
www.medicare.gov on the web. From the bottom half
of the page under “Search Tools” in the right column,
select “Compare Nursing Homes in Your Area.”
Select “Method to Search By” and enter the necessary
information. Click “Next Step.” Basic information is
given on this page. Select all or some of the nursing
/www.medicare.gov