Medicare

Nursing Home Checklist

Nursing Home

• Basic Information

• Is the nursing home Medicare-certified? 

• Does the nursing home have the level of care I need? 
  

• Does the nursing home have a bed available?

• Does the nursing home offer specialized services, such as a special unit for care for a resident with dementia, ventilator care, or rehabilitation services?

• Is the nursing home located close enough for friends and family to visit? 

• Resident Appearance 

• Are the residents clean, well groomed, and appropriately dressed for the season or time of day?

• Nursing Home Living Spaces

• Is the nursing home free from overwhelming unpleasant odors?

• Does the nursing home appear clean and well kept? 

• Is the temperature in the nursing home comfortable for residents? 

• Does the nursing home have good lighting?

• Are the noise levels in the dining room and other common areas comfortable?

• Is smoking allowed? If so, is it restricted to certain areas of the nursing home? 

• Are the furnishings sturdy, yet comfortable and attractive?

• Staff 

• Does the relationship between the staff and residents appear to be warm, polite, and respectful? 

• Does the staff wear name tags?

• Does the staff knock on the door before entering a resident’s room? Do they refer to residents by name? 

• Does the nursing home offer a training and continuing education program for all staff?

• Does the nursing home check to make sure they don’t hire staff members who have been found guilty of abuse, neglect or mistreatment of residents; or have a finding of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of residents in the state nurse aid registry? 

• Is there a licensed nursing staff 24 hours a day, including a Registered Nurse (RN) present at least 8 hours per day, 7 days a week?

• Will a team of nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) work with me to meet my needs? 

• Do CNAs help plan the care of residents? 

• Is there a person on staff that will be assigned to meet my social service needs? 

• If I have a medical need, will the staff contact my doctor for me? 

• Has there been a turnover in administration staff, such as the administrator or director of nurses, in the past year?

• Residents’ Rooms

• Can residents have personal belongings and furniture in their rooms?

• Does each resident have storage space (closet and drawers) in his or her room?

• Does each resident have a window in his or her bedroom?

• Do residents have access to a personal phone and television? 

• Do residents have a choice of roommates?

• Are there policies and procedures to protect residents’ possessions, including lockable cabinets and closets?

• Hallway, Stairs, Lounges, and Bathrooms 

• Are exits clearly marked?

• Are there quiet areas where residents can visit with friends and family?

• Does the nursing home have smoke detectors and sprinklers?

• Are all common areas, resident rooms, and doorways designed for wheelchair use?

• Are handrails and grab bars appropriately placed in the hallways and bathrooms?

• Menus and Food

• Do residents have a choice of food items at each meal? (Ask if your favorite foods are served.)

• Can the nursing home provide for special dietary needs (like low-salt or no-sugar-added diets)? 

• Are nutritious snacks available upon request?

• Does the staff help residents eat and drink at mealtimes if help is needed?

• Activities

• Can residents, including those who are unable to leave their rooms, choose to take part in a variety of activities?

• Do residents have a role in planning or choosing activities that are available?

• Does the nursing home have outdoor areas for resident use? Is the staff available to help residents go outside?

• Does the nursing home have an active volunteer program?

• Safety and Care

• Does the nursing home have an emergency evacuation plan and hold regular fire drills (bed-bound residents included)?

• Do residents get preventive care, like a yearly flu shot, to help keep them healthy? Does the facility assist in arranging hearing screenings or vision tests?

• Can residents still see their personal doctors? Does the facility help in arranging transportation for this purpose?

• Does the nursing home have an arrangement with a nearby hospital for emergencies?

• Are care plan meetings held with residents and family members at times that are convenient and flexible whenever possible? 

• Has the nursing home corrected all deficiencies (failure to meet one or more state or Federal requirements) on its last state inspection report?