A valuable online tool is “Nursing Home Compare” found in the “Search Tools” area of medicare.gov.
The Medicare website has a list of items that may help you determine what facility is best for you. Visit medicare.gov to find the full checklist or review this partial list below.
Basic Information
- The SNF provides the skilled care you need, and a bed is available.
- The SNF has special services if needed in a separate unit (e.g. dementia, ventilator, or rehabilitation), and a bed is available.
- The SNF is located close enough for friends and family to visit.
Resident Appearance
- Residents are clean, appropriately dressed for the season or time of day, and well groomed.
Living Spaces
- The SNF appears clean and well kept.
- The temperature in the SNF is comfortable for residents.
Staff
- The relationship between the staff and the residents appear to be warm, polite, and respectful.
- All staff wears name tags.
- There is a full-time Registered Nurse (RN) in the SNF at all times, other than the Director of Nursing.
Residents’ Rooms
- Residents may have personal belongings and/or furniture in their rooms.
- Each resident has personal storage space (closet and drawers) in his or her room.
- Residents have access to a personal telephone and television.
- Residents have a choice of roommates.
Activities
- Residents, including those who are unable to leave their rooms, may choose to take part in a variety of activities.
- The SNF has outdoor areas for resident use and staff help residents go outside.
Safety & Care
- Residents get preventive care, like a yearly flu shot, to help keep them healthy.
- Residents may still see their regular doctors.
- Care plan meetings are held with residents and family members at times that are convenient whenever possible.
- The SNF has corrected all deficiencies (failure to meet one or more Federal or State requirements) on its last state inspection report.
