Comparing Nursing Homes

Facility Name                                                                                                                                     

Address                                                                                                                                               Check:               First Visit •               Second Visit •                

Date(s)Visited:                        

Morning •              Afternoon      •            Evening   •

Circle:   Mon         Tue          Wed           Thu             Fri             Sat           Sun

(You may want to attach the facility's rate sheet for easier comparison.)

The Basics:

Is the facility accepting new patients?                                                                  
• Yes      • No

Is there a waiting period for admission?                                                              
• Yes      • No

Does the facility conduct background checks

on all of the staff?                                                                                                
• Yes      • No

How many licensed nurses are on duty at each shift?                                                                 RNs   LPNs    

What is the patient to staff ratio?                                                                                                  Nurse to patient?                                   Aide to patient?                         

Does the nursing home have an active family council?                                        
• Yes      • No

What is the visiting policy?                                                                                                             

What is the facility's discharge policy?                                                                                          

Is transportation available so the resident can visit

the doctor?

• Yes      • No                                                                                                 

Are the care planning meetings held at times that are easy

for residents and their family members to attend?                                               
• Yes      • No

Safety:

Care Issues:

Does the facility have a fresh smell?                                                                     
• Yes        • No

Are residents clean and well groomed?                                                               
• Yes        • No

Do staff members interact well with residents?                                                   
• Yes        • No

Are the residents who need assistance eating or drinking

receiving it?  

• Yes        • No

Are there nutritious snacks available throughout the day

and evening?

• Yes        • No

Is physical therapy available for as long as the resident needs it?                   
  • Yes        • No

Does the staff have special training to deal with dementia?                               
• Yes        • No

Are there special units, programs or services for special needs,

such as Alzheimer's?                                                                                      
• Yes        • No

Quality of Life:

Does the nursing home meet cultural, religious or language needs?                 
• Yes        • No

Does the nursing home have outdoor areas for residents and help for

residents who want to spend time outside?                                               
• Yes        • No

Are the residents allowed to make choices about daily routine

(for example, when to go to bed, when to get up, when to bathe

or when to eat)?                                                                                                      

•Yes        • No

Are the residents allowed to have personal articles and furniture in

their rooms?     

• Yes        • No

Is the staff friendly, considerate and helpful?                                             
• Yes        • No

Does the facility have a friendly, home-like environment?                              
• Yes        • No