Selecting a Nursing Home - Helping You Make the Decision

Selecting A Nursing Home is a tool that will guide and counsel you, help you think through important issues and answer questions. The information provided is designed to help individuals looking for a nursing home for themselves, a loved one or a friend. However, to maintain consistency throughout, the wording is from the perspective of the family members who are helping their loved one.

It is important to keep in mind that there is no set amount of time that it will take you to select the right nursing home. This guide will help you keep organized and, ultimately, help you through the process effectively. How long it will take depends on many factors. Time may be working against you. Because of the importance of the decision, you will want to designate appropriate time that may range from just a few days to several weeks. The sooner you begin and the more organized and prepared you are, the sooner an informed decision can be made.

We suggest, as a beginning, to identify other family members who should be part of the decision making process. This is not a time to act alone. You will want to include your loved one, whom the decision will most affect, as well as other family members. It may be more difficult to get agreement from others in the family as you address each question or issue, but ultimately the input and open dialogue will be healthy. Even if key family members seem impartial, or if there are distance constraints, work hard at soliciting their input.

As you use this guide, you will see practical worksheets and forms designed to generate and capture your thoughts and plans. You may want to write your personal notes and comments on the pages. Feel free to use this guide as your journal.

To get the most out of this guide, scan through it in its entirety before completing any of the worksheets. You will get a general overview of the types of worksheets, forms and information that are provided and a feel for the entire process you will be going through.