Choosing a Nursing Home
What Patients and Caregivers Should Do
Compare nursing homes
The Medicare Nursing Home Compare site:
- Allows you to find nursing homes anywhere in the country.
- Maps federally-certified nursing homes within a geographical area.
- Provides national five-star quality information which is based on: health inspections, staffing report, Medicare participation, number of certified beds and type of ownership.
- Allows for a more detailed comparison of up to three selected nursing homes at a time.
Visit
Schedule a visit to the facility. Ask for a copy of its brochure, admissions policies, and the resident's bill of rights.
Prepare a list of talking points. sample When you are there try to:
- Meet the residents and talk with them about their experiences.
- Meet the staff and observe their interactions with the residents.
- Meet the admissions representative or nursing home administrator.
- Talk to the facility's ombudsman from the Department of Elderly Affairs (401-462-3000).
Make your choice
- Narrow your choices and re-visit the facilities under consideration at a different time of day, if possible.
- Contact the admissions staff for advice about the admissions process.
- Meet with the administrator and key staff members to discuss specific concerns you may have about care needs and personal preferences.
- Ask to participate in care planning decisions.
- Be sure to visit often and remain involved in your loved one's ongoing care.
Rhode Island Department of Health