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Step 1: What is Most Important?

Ask what is most important to you and your family in a skilled nursing facility. Some details to consider include:

• Proximity of the facility to family and friends
• Online reviews of the nursing care
• Quality of meals and food options
• A religious connection
• Special care units such as hospice or memory care

Step 2: Ask Your Community

Connect with relatives, friends, and community members to provide referrals on local nursing facilities. What facilities do they suggest that you visit?

Step 3: Call and Visit the Facilities

Go directly to the facilities on your list to get a sense of the environment. Inquire about waiting lists, costs, and how many people live there, currently. Find out if there are extra costs involved with extra services, such as beauty services, and other activities. Whenever possible, schedule a meeting with the nursing director.

Step 4: Visit Again Without Calling Ahead

In the second visit, try a new week or time of day so that you can meet other staff members and learn more about the “behind the scenes” of the facility. You may also consider stopping by at mealtime to evaluate the environment.

Step 5: Get Assistance Before Signing the Contract

Contracts are notoriously difficult to understand. We recommend that you connect with a lawyer, or trusted family and friends to carefully review the contract, prior to signing.