When deciding on a nursing home for a loved one, it is recommended that you do a pre-visit investigation. Consider doing some of the following suggestions:

(1) Make a list of nursing homes that are close enough for family and friends to conveniently visit the resident;

(2) If your loved one will need assistance from Medicaid and/or Medicare in paying for their stay, list only those nursing homes that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs;

(3) Learn as much as possible about nursing homes by talking with:

(a) Others with loved ones in nursing homes;

(b) Clergy;

(c) Doctors;

(d) Social workers;

(e) Nurses;

(f) Nursing home employees; and

(g) Long-term care ombudsmen;

(4) Review state survey inspection reports. These reports are conducted by the state on an annual basis and can give you a good sense of what, if anything, the nursing home is failing to do in terms of care and treatment of its residents. These surveys should be posted in each facility that you visit. This is required by Federal Law. This information is also available on the internet at the Medicare website.