20 questions to ask when touring a nursing home
A good tour answers questions you wouldn't think to ask. Print this list, take two copies, and use the same questions at every home so you can compare answers directly.
Staffing
1. What is your nurse-to-resident ratio on each shift? 2. Do you use agency or travel nurses, and if so, what percentage? 3. Is a registered nurse on site 24/7? 4. What is your aide turnover rate over the past 12 months? 5. How many residents does each aide care for on the day shift, evening shift, and night shift?
Care and clinical
6. How are doctor visits arranged — house-call physician, telehealth, or transport out? 7. What is your falls prevention program? 8. How do you handle hospital transfers — who decides? 9. What's your most recent state survey or CMS inspection result, and can I see it? 10. How do you handle dementia behaviour without restraints or sedation?
Food and life
11. Can residents choose at every meal or is the menu fixed? 12. Are snacks available 24/7? 13. Can my family eat with my parent — what's the cost? 14. How many activities per day, and what are they today? 15. How do you accommodate religious or cultural needs?
Safety and rights
16. How do residents call for help at night, and what's the average response time? 17. What's your protocol if a resident falls? 18. How do you handle a complaint from a family — written process, please.
Money
19. May I see a written quote covering all base and ancillary fees? 20. Are you Medicare-certified? Medicaid-certified? What's your policy if my parent spends down to Medicaid?
Frequently asked questions
Authoritative sources
The figures and rules in this guide are drawn from the following official and independent sources. Open any link to verify the latest published numbers.
- Your Guide to Choosing a Nursing Home
Medicare.gov
- Nursing home checklist
Medicare.gov
- How to choose a nursing home
AARP
About this guide
Written and reviewed by the Nursing Home Match editorial team. We update guides at least annually and verify every figure against the official sources listed above. This guide is general information, not personal, medical, financial or legal advice. Always confirm details on Medicare.gov Care Compare (United States) or My Aged Care (Australia), or speak to a qualified adviser before making decisions.