If you decide that a nursing home is the right choice, begin to gather information about thenursing homes in an area near your family and friends. The first step is to talk with your doctor or other health providers for suggestions. Then, look in the phone book. Your yellow pages list local nursing homes.
Word of mouth can be a good source of information.
Ask your friends and neighbors if they know people who have lived in local nursing homes. Nationwide, there are more than 600 Long-Term Care Ombudsman programs. They are a very good source of information and can be an important resource to nursing home residents, their families, and friends. Ombudsman volunteers visit nursing homes on a regular basis. They can provide information about how homes are organized and regulated.