It may be for a spouse, a relative, a friend or even yourself. Choosing a long-term care facility is confusing and stressful. However, taking some time now to learn about your options and what to look for in a facility can take away some of the doubt in this process.

There are a lot things to think about when choosing the right nursing home: What kind of care is needed, how to pay for it, and  what makes a nursing home "good"?

Types of Facilities

There's a large range of care available to residents of long-term care facilities. From least restrictive to most restrictive, they include:

  • Independent living residences. Each person has separate living quarters and doesn't require special living or medical assistance
  • Assisted living facilities, with small private living quarters. These give some help with daily tasks such as eating and dressing, and monitoring of health needs when needed
  • Nursing home or rest home facilities.  These may offer 24/7 assistance with daily living tasks and full-time health monitoring, but usually no extensive medical care
  • Intermediate care facilities or skilled nursing care facilities. This type may have intensive medical care for the chronically and seriously ill
  • Extended care facilities that are hospital-affiliated. These provide short-term care for seriously ill patients

Factors to Consider

 Other factors to consider when choosing a new place to live are:

  • Can the person needing care walk and move unassisted and feed herself?
  • Does the person need around-the-clock medical supervision?
  • Is special assistance, such as physical therapy or help for Alzheimer's, necessary?
  • What resources, such as Medicaid, Medicare and long-term care insurance, will pay for the care?

Where to Find Facility Referrals

Many people can help in your search for long-term care facilities, including:

  • Your family physician, or the person's doctor
  • Hospital discharge planners, social workers and home health care nurses
  • Friends and neighbors who have been through similar experiences
  • Government agencies such as the federal Area Agencies on Aging

It might also be wise to check the Better Business Bureau in your state, your state's attorney general, or even perform a background check*.

Tour the Facility

When you've narrowed your choices, tour the facility during business hours without an appointment. Meet with the staff, see everything, and take a meal if there are dining services. Return for a second look in the evening or on a weekend to see if there are staffing differences during off hours. Be sure to take notes and ask if you can take pictures to remember the facility and show to the person who will live there. 

Here are few things to think about when touring a nursing home or other care facility:

  • How long did you have to wait to see a staff member?
  • Does the facility look and smell clean?

And, don't be afraid to ask the staff questions:

  • Who responds to emergency calls for help and how soon?
  • What is the ratio of staff care providers to residents?
  • What is the cost of care? Are there additional charges for extra services?

By carefully researching and investigating these options and your particular circumstances, you can make finding the right nursing home or long-term care facility an easier process for you and your family. And the person staying there will feel more at ease knowing an effort was made to find the best place for them.

Questions for Your Attorney

  • How do I find out about Medicare or Medicaid assistance for my loved one's long-term care a nursing home?
  • I'm 55 years old. Is it worth purchasing long-term care insurance now?
  • My mother needs a nursing home immediately, and we don't have enough time to find and investigate every single home in our area. Is there any way we can make the hospital keep my mother for a few days while I find her a place to live?

*LexisNexis Personal Reports is owned by LexisNexis, Lawyers.com's parent as well.