Resources to help find a Nursing Home for your Loved One

NURSING HOME COMPARE- (medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare) Ran by the Medicare and Medicaid Services, this online tool rates more than 15,000 nursing homes that are certified by that agency. It's on a scale of one to five stars with the more stars, the better. The ratings are based on three categories: Health inspections, whether it's staffed adequately and other measures(how many reported bed sores or number of restrained). STATE OMBUDSMEN- By federal law, each state is required to have a long-term care ombudsman. An ombudsmen serves as an advocate for people in nursing homes and their families. He/She reviews complaints and other concerns about nursing homes. The ombudsmen's goal is fixing the problems. To find the ombudsmen for your region, go to the website of the National Consumer Voice(theconsumervoice.org/get_help). AARP Caregiving Checklist AARP offers a printable list called "Nursing Homes:What to Ask". To find the link enter the term "AARP nursing home checklist" into an online search engine. The list covers important information and may answer questions you might forget to ask.