Ideally, you should ask for referrals from family members, friends, colleagues, and other people whom you know. The elderly person’s doctor also may have recommendations for nursing homes in your area. Even if you trust a person who gives you a recommendation, though, you should make sure to research the nursing home’s reputation online. You will want to find out about any complaints or consumer reports that have been filed against it. Before placing your loved one in a nursing home, you should visit the facility and observe how the staff members interact with one another and with residents. Nursing homes that provide superior care usually have good staff-resident ratios, which allows them to provide each resident with regular attention. You may want to ask about how the nursing home staff would handle certain emergencies or situations that would be likely to arise for your loved one. Before signing a nursing home contract, you should make sure that you understand its terms.