Talk to residents, staff, and residents' relatives. A lot of the best care homes have long waiting lists. If you have a loved one who does not need a nursing home yet, but has a progressive illness such as Alzheimer's, it can be a good idea to get on a waiting list well ahead of time. Looking into nursing home options ahead of time also gives you time to work on financial planning. Once you enter a nursing home, you will stay there for good.
Older adults do take longer to recover from illness and injuries than younger people.
Therefore some may not be well enough to be at home following surgery or conditions such as heart attacks and strokes, even though they may be well enough to leave the hospital. For these people the convalescence provided by nursing homes is a temporary option for a few weeks or months. They will in most cases be able to return to independent living or to living with their family. A good care home will provide a lively social environment with plenty of activities, including trips for those who are physically capable. Not only will many care homes organise group activities, but will also actively encourage you to spend time with friends and family outside the care home.