What to Look for
When Choosing a Nursing Home

General Nursing Home Information	Yes	No
Medicare certified
Medicaid certified
Skilled Nursing Facility
Intermediate Care Facility
Special Care Unit available
If the home offers more that one level of care, may a resident transfer between levels of care?
If the answer is yes, can the resident keep the same room?
If the home is not Medicaid certified, are residents required to move when Medicare or the resident’s private money runs out?
Accepting new patients
Waiting period for admission
Licensed home
Licensed administrator
Background checks conducted on all staff (both in NC and US?)
Abuse prevention training provided for staff
Policies and procedures are in place to safeguard resident possessions.
Continuing education is provided for all staff.
Is the home appealing on the outside?
Does the home seem appealing when you go inside?
Is the home convenient to family and friends?
Does the home have a good reputation in the community?

Quality of Life	Yes	No
Residents can make choices about their daily routine (when to go to bed, when to get up, when to bathe, when to eat, etc.)
The interaction between staff and patient is warm and respectful.
Easy to visit for friends and family
Meets your cultural, religious, or language needs
Odor free
Clean
Well-lighted
Comfortable temperatures
Overall, the facility is quiet
Outdoor areas for resident use are available.
Resident Rights are prominently posted.
Generally, residents seem happy and well cared for.
Staff know residents by name
Residents are involved in a variety of activities
Outside groups are encouraged to visit and/or provide programs
The home works to provide suitable roommate matches
Phone service is available 24 hours per day
The home has, and follows, a program to restrict the use of physical restraints to medically necessary situations as identified by the physician.
Is it easy for wheelchair bound residents to move around the facility?
Are there private areas for the resident to be able to visit with family and friends?
Are personal items allowed in the rooms?
Is there any safe, secure place for personal possessions of value?
Is there a varied program of recreational, cultural, and intellectual activities for residents?
Are activities available for those confined to their rooms or those who may be limited from participation in some way?
Are married couples allowed to share a room?
Do all resident rooms have a window to the outside?

Quality of Care	Yes	No
The facility corrected any Quality of Care deficiencies that were in the State inspection report.
Residents may continue to see their personal physician.
Residents are clean.
Residents are appropriately dressed for time of day and year.
Residents are well-groomed.
Staff responds quickly to calls for help or assistance.
Residents have the same caregivers on a daily basis.
There are enough staff at night, on weekends, or holidays to care for each resident.
The home has an arrangement for emergency situations with a nearby hospital or another like facility.
The family and resident councils are independent from the nursing home’s management.
Care plan meetings are held at times that are easy for residents and their family members to attend.
Care plans are updated regularly.
Confidentiality of medical records is assured
The home offers restorative programs such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, etc.
Does the home have an arrangement with an outside dental service?
Does the home have arrangements with local hospitals for quick transfer of patients in an emergency?
Will the home take responsibility for ensuring that appointments with health care providers are met?

Nutrition and Hydration	Yes	No
The home corrected any deficiencies in these areas that were on the last survey report.
There are enough staff to assist each resident who requires help with eating.
Meals are served at appropriate times.
The food smells and looks good.
Food portions appear appropriate.
The food selections appear to be nutritionally balanced.
Residents are offered choices of food at mealtimes.
Residents’ weight is routinely monitored.
Water pitchers and glasses are available in each room.
Staff encourages residents to drink if they are not able to do so on their own.
Residents can select their own mealtimes.
Residents are not rushed through the meal.
Nutritious snacks are available during the day and evening.
The dining room environment encourages residents to relax, socialize, and enjoy their food.
Is food delivered to residents who are unable or unwilling to eat in the dining room?

Safety	Yes	No
Handrails in the hallways
Grab bars in the bathrooms
Emergency call bells in each bathroom
Exits clearly marked
Spills and accidents cleaned up quickly
Hallways free of clutter
Hallways well-lighted
Emergency plan
Enough staff to implement the plan
Smoke detectors and sprinklers on every floor and hall
Doors are locked at an appropriate time at night.
Visitors after a certain time at night must check in with staff.
Is smoking allowed in the facility?
Are the bathrooms easy for handicapped residents to use safely?
Are exit doors unlocked from the inside and easily accessible to residents?
Is each bed within reach of a call bell?