Things to Look For When You Inspect a Prospective Nursing Home:

• are the rooms and halls free of unpleasant odors;
• do the rooms smell of heavy perfume;
• does each resident have a call button within easy reach of his or her bed;
• are the bathrooms and bath areas equipped with call buttons;
• does each resident have a water container and clean glass in the room;
• eat a meal in the facility while you are visiting;
• are there more inactive residents properly groomed;
• spend time sitting in different parts of the facility watching how staff interact with residents;
• look for signs that resident interaction is encouraged;
• observe one or more planned activity sessions;
• talk with several residents and visiting family members;
• try to talk with more than one nurses aide;
• visit at least once in the evening and/or on a weekend;
• does the building appear to be fire proof;
• are sidewalks clean and well maintained;
• are the emergency exits well marked;
• are there sufficient smoke detectors;
• is there a safety committee;
• do the sidewalks have wheelchair ramps;
• is the home within easy walking distance of public transportation;
• does the surrounding neighborhood appear safe;
• is there an area where residents can sit outside;
• do residents appear to sit and walk outside, weather permitting;
• are rooms clean and neat;
• is there sufficient light;
• is there sufficient closet space;
• does each resident have a sink and mirror;
• are the rooms nicely furnished;
• is the facility air conditioned;
• does the room have an individual thermostat;
• is there an adjoining bathroom;
• how many residents share the bathroom;
• do bathrooms have safety bars;
• do tubs have non-slip surfaces;
• does the resident have enough personal space;
• do the rooms afford privacy;
• do the rooms have windows;
• is there counter space for personal objects;
• are private telephones allowed and/or provided;
• can residents hang their own pictures and place their own furniture;
• do residents have a place to lock valuables;
• does the kitchen appear to be clean by your standards;
• is the dining room clean;
• can the kitchen accommodate special diet needs;
• is help available for residents who need assistance eating;
• is a dietician on staff;
• is the administrator open to your questions;
• are the staff generally friendly toward you;
• do the staff seem to like the residents;
• do the staff generally look pleasant and cheerful;
• do the staff wear name tags;
• do the linens look clean;
• is the facility well lighted;
• do staff members knock on doors prior to entering patient rooms;
• are patients treated with dignity and respect;
• are call lights sounding for a long time before being answered;
• are patients calling for help for a prolonged time;
• do the residents smell clean;
• are there any strong odors in the facility;
• are the rooms well ventilated and kept at a comfortable temperature.

Ask Other Residents and Family Members:

• what's the best thing about this nursing home;
• what is the worst thing about this nursing home;
• are you glad you chose this nursing home;
• is the staff helpful and caring;
• does the staff meet your needs;
• what happens when you voice a complaint or concern;
• do you attend family counsel meetings;
• were you involved in choosing your own room and roommate;
• is the food good and do you get enough to eat;
• have you ever had missing possessions;
• does each shift have enough help;
• do the staff treat you with respect and dignity;
• how often do the staff check on you when you are in your room;
• does the staff provide needed assistance with toileting, bathing, dressing and eating;
• do you attend and enjoy the activities provided in the nursing home;
• are you invited to care plan meetings;
• does the staff close the door and pull the privacy curtains when they provide care;

The following checklist, based on a checklist prepared by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, can be printed and used when visiting nursing homes:
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