Questions to ask on a visit
Print this page and write answers on it. The items are prompts, not a test the facility must pass. Ask the same questions at more than one home if you are comparing.
Staffing and who is in charge
- Who is the administrator, and who is the director of nursing? Are they usually on site?
- How many nurse aides and nurses are assigned to this unit on day, evening, and night shifts? What about weekends?
- How do you cover call-ins? Do you use agency staff, and how often?
- Who do I call after hours if I have a concern?
Inspections and quality
- What were the last standard survey’s findings, and what changed afterward?
- Have there been complaint investigations in the past year? What was the outcome?
- May I see the most recent posted inspection results?
- Is the home on a Special Focus list, or does Medicare display an abuse icon? If so, what is the plan of correction?
Daily life and clinical care
- May I visit during a meal and see a typical room on the unit that would be offered?
- How are medications managed? What is the process after a fall or a change in condition?
- How do you handle hospital transfers? Which hospital do you usually use?
- If memory care or a secured unit is needed, how is that staffed, and is there an Alzheimer certificate?
- How are families included in care planning? How often is the plan updated?
- What does a typical day look like for someone with this person’s needs?
Payment, admission, and discharge
- Is the bed Medicare, Medicaid, or private pay? What happens when a short-term Medicare stay ends?
- What charges are not included in the daily rate?
- Under what conditions would someone be asked to leave, and how much notice is given?
Your own notes after the visit
- Time of day visited; whether it was a meal or a shift change.
- How long it took for a call light to be answered while you were there.
- How staff spoke to residents; odors; cleanliness of rooms and bathrooms.
- Questions you still need answered, and a date to follow up.
This checklist is general information, not legal or medical advice. Verify license and inspection facts on official sites before you decide.