How to Select a Nursing Home

Start by building a list of nursing homes near you. There are several ways to do this:

• • Use Medicare’s comparison tool at medicare.gov/care-compare — search by name, city, or ZIP code
  • Ask for referrals from your doctor, hospital discharge planner, or local social services agency
  • Contact your local Agency on Aging for a list of long-term care options in your community
  • Ask friends or family who have had personal experience with a nursing care facility

Once you have a shortlist, look deeper into each facility’s quality of care:

• • Health and fire safety inspection records and any complaints on file
  • Adequate staffing — at minimum one RN on duty 8 hours a day, 7 days a week
  • Personalized care plans developed together with residents and their families
  • Activities and programs tailored to the unique needs of each resident
  • Reviews and feedback from current or past residents’ families

There is no substitute for seeing a nursing home with your own eyes. During your tour, observe:

• • The cleanliness, comfort, and overall atmosphere of the facility
  • How staff interact with residents — are they warm, attentive, and respectful?
  • Availability of amenities, therapy spaces, dining areas, and outdoor spaces
  • Whether families are included and welcomed in the care planning process

We recommend visiting more than once, at different times of day, for a full picture.

After your research and visits, weigh all factors — quality of care, location, staffing, environment, and cost. Confirm the facility accepts your insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid coverage. Most importantly, trust your instincts. The right nursing home should feel safe, respectful, and genuinely welcoming to both you and your loved one.

If you have any questions about Carriage Town or would like to schedule a tour, our admissions team is always ready to help.