Older adults and their family members have multiple solutions to choose from when it comes to short- and long-term support. For some seniors, a nursing home, also referred to as a skilled nursing facility or SNF, provides the acute clinical care they need to stay healthy and safe. If your loved one could benefit from the support available in a nursing home environment, it can be overwhelming to make the best decision for their needs and budget. Here, we’ve rounded up a few factors to consider when choosing a nursing home for yourself or a loved one.

What is a nursing home?

A nursing home, or skilled nursing facility, is a type of senior living residence that provides around-the-clock clinical care. These types of senior living communities have similarities to hospitals, including nursing staff and on-site therapy services. They also offer amenities and services similar to those at assisted living communities, such as events and activities, chef-prepared meals, and robust family visiting hours.

A nursing home can provide short-term and long-term care. Generally speaking, people tend to use the term “skilled nursing facility” when referring to a short-term stay and “nursing home” for long-term care. Individuals often have short-term stays after surgery or illness, giving the older adult a chance to get stronger and remain safe while recovering before returning home. Long-term care is provided to older adults living with chronic conditions or complex needs that require around-the-clock support and supervision.

Next, we will explore factors to consider when choosing a nursing home for yourself or a loved one.

Location

Begin narrowing down potential nursing homes by focusing on location. You may want to choose a facility that is close to family members. You might instead choose a facility in a town or neighborhood that is familiar to the older adult. You might also want to choose a facility that is conveniently located on a main road or highway so that friends and family members can easily visit.

Location considerations also include how easy it is to get to in traffic and how much parking is available at the community. Visitors, including you, can find these factors quite important.

Cost

Next, evaluate the cost of the facility. Nursing homes are expensive: The national median cost of a semiprivate room is over $8,000 a month. You can offset these expenses in some ways, which will decrease your loved one’s out-of-pocket costs.

If your loved one is coming in as a projected short-term stay, they might be eligible to pay with their Medicare benefits. Medicare benefits cover skilled nursing services at 100% for the first 20 days after a three-day qualifying stay at a hospital. On days 21 to 100, Medicare covers $204 a day. Medicare stops covering the cost after day 100, so you would need to find another payment source after that. If your loved one will be using Medicare benefits, ensure the nursing homes you are researching accept Medicare and have Medicare beds available. 

Some nursing homes also accept Medicaid as a payment. If your loved one qualifies for Medicaid as well as for nursing home care, you will need to find a community that accepts Medicaid and currently has Medicaid beds available. Be aware that you might need to get on a waiting list, as Medicaid beds at nursing homes can be in high demand.

You might also be able to offset costs with long-term care insurance if your loved one has a policy. Before choosing a nursing home, review your loved one’s policy and contact the provider to make sure you understand what they cover and what they don’t. 

Specialized care offered

Some nursing homes offer specialized care for certain populations or chronic conditions. For example, you might find that a nursing home near you has a designated stroke unit to support those recovering from a stroke. There might be additional training for staff members, extra therapy services, and more adaptive equipment on-site. 

Similarly, some nursing homes have memory care units or wings for those living with Alzheimer’s disease or other types of dementia. A facility with a designated memory care unit can be a benefit if your loved one is currently living with cognitive decline.

Other nursing homes might focus on Parkinson’s disease, Veteran care, or even mental health. These specializations do not necessarily mean that the community offers care only to those in that patient subset; typically, they offer traditional skilled care to all residents and then have a designated unit or wing for their specialized care. However, if your loved one does have a condition that a skilled nursing facility near your desired location focuses on, it is certainly worth a tour to learn more.

Federal rating

Nursing homes must follow federal and state regulations in order to keep their license and receive Medicare and Medicaid funding. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services gives star ratings to facilities that currently receive Medicare and/or Medicaid funding. The star rating takes into consideration staffing, quality measures, and inspections. Facilities can receive up to five stars. Of course, no rating tool is perfect. However, if you notice that a facility you are researching is rated lower than expected, ask targeted questions about the rating when you are touring.

You can use the Care Compare website to search for nursing homes near you. Simply enter your zip code (or a specific nursing home name) to see ratings.

Caregiver-to-resident ratio

One of the factors included in determining a community’s star rating is staffing. It is wise to take a look at the caregiver-to-resident ratios at the communities you are researching. While staffing ratios vary based on the time of day (fewer caregivers are needed in the middle of the night than during the day, for example), you can ask for an average when you speak to a representative during your tour or informational call. It can also be helpful to understand a nurse-to-resident ratio, especially for units or communities that cater to residents requiring high levels of care.

Many states have required staff-to-resident ratios. You can ask about these specifics during your research calls. However, the industry standard is typically one caregiver for every six to eight residents.

Staff tenure

Senior care is hard and sometimes thankless work, and some communities have a high staff turnover rate. A high turnover rate in both caregiving and management staff can sometimes lead to communication issues at communities and lapses in care. You might consider staff turnover when researching potential homes for your loved one and searching for a community that offers staff stability, especially in management and nursing roles.

Resident engagement and quality of life

While most seniors in a nursing home are there because they need the highest level of care and supervision, it is crucial that the residents also are offered services and opportunities that add to their quality of life. Consider how many events or activities are offered each day (including evenings and weekends), as well as if there are easily accessible outdoor spaces, robust visiting hours, and delicious meals. 

Final thoughts on choosing a nursing home

Choosing a nursing home for your loved one can feel overwhelming. However, keeping our considerations in mind can help you systematically narrow down your choices based on what your loved one needs and what factors you value most. If you’ve made the decision to move to a nursing home and need to look for a community with the support of a professional, find the local Oasis Senior Advisor in your area.