For more information on these, and other options, see the Community Living Options section of this guide. Once you have decided that a nursing home is the right choice for you, it is time to gather information about the nursing homes in your area. Your local Area Agency on Aging can provide you with a listing of nursing homes in your area. This database can give you information on the quality of care given at individual nursing homes. The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program One of the best sources of information on nursing homes is your local Long-term Care Ombudsman program.
Ombudsman are people who visit nursing homes on a regular basis.
Their job is to investigate complaints, advocate for residents, and help solve disputes. Ombudsmen have very good knowledge about the quality of life and care inside each nursing home in their area. In addition, the Ombudsman may provide general advice on what to look for when visiting your area nursing homes. However, Ombudsmen are not allowed to recommend one nursing home over another. There are also some types of basic information that should help you narrow your list of nursing homes.