Ask the facility for a copy and sit down and read it carefully. If a nursing home refuses to give you the survey, that's a troubling sign. While the website can be helpful in pinpointing problems, it does not give the graphic details that make the survey report so telling and useful. Under the 1975 Older Americans Act, every state is required to have an ombudsman program that addresses complaints and advocates improvements in the long-term care system. Along with the state ombudsman, there are local ombudsmen stationed in many counties.
Every nursing home is required to post the name and telephone number of local ombudsman.
From the state or local ombudsman you can learn whether a facility is likely to keep your relative safe and offer good medical care, whether it has adequate staff or chronic staffing problems, and whether there is adequate stimulation for residents. Ombudsmen may be wary of making negative comments about a facility. So you need to read the signals. These are tip-offs that indicate that the place you are asking about is less than desirable. Consumer Reports Nursing Home Watch List.