You will see below a number of good options to check on nursing homes.  This includes a list of questions to ask as you evaluate them.

We will also begin including articles and links on assisted living as well as links and articles on geriatric care managers.

There are a number of very good articles on nursing homes including a list of ones with quality issues.   Click the appropriate links below.

If you are considering or have long term care insurance please read Aging, Frail and Fighting Insurers To Pay Up article in the The New York Times below.  

In the difficult economic times we are in unfortunately there are concerns about the viability of insurers who have offered long term care policies.  An article in The Wall Street Journal discusses this is detail. Click here

A very important consideration is whether or not the health care providers and prescription drug service that support the nursing home are in the patients network.  Otherwise costs for these services could be extremely high.

Fewer seniors are living in nursing homes.  There are other options. For an article in USA Today click here.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, AHRQ, has an excellent site on long term care. Click here.

MEDICARE

• On the first page under Medicare Spotlights, go down to New! New Nursing Home Five Star Quality Rating.  This will take you to their nursing home comparison site.  Click here for a direct link to the web page.  (Click here)
• When consider a nursing home, there are some important facts to consider.   Medicare provides a list of facts to consider.   Click here and you will go right to a page, same as above, that will provide a check list of considerations.

Medicare Nursing Home Comparison

Nursing home comparison site

Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services – Nursing Homes

Medicare site for requirements to be a certified nursing home

HEALTH GRADES

• Health Grades sites allows you to research 15,000 nursing homes nationwide.
• Provides a sample Nursing Home Quality Comparison Report of about 11 pages.  Included is a list of interview tips.
• At the end you can compare nursing homes in your area.
• The cost is $19.95