If you are looking for a nursing home for yourself or a loved one, you want to choose a good facility. But what makes a nursing home good? Though good can be hard to define, some qualities are key to take into account.
A nursing home could be considered good if it is clean, well-staffed, offers nutritious meals, and provides high-quality care for its residents. Other practical factors, such as location and cost, are as crucial to weigh when determining if a particular facility is a suitable choice.
Finding the right long-term care facility for yourself or a loved one is a major decision. The best choice will be specific to your unique needs, preferences, and medical care requirements. Consider the following factors – and some vital resources – when searching for a nursing home.
Factors to Consider
When looking for a nursing home, here are some factors to guide your decision-making process:
1. Location and Accessibility
- Proximity to family and friends for frequent visits and outings.
- Accessibility for residents with mobility challenges, such as wheelchair access.
2. Quality of Care
- Look for state inspection reports and ratings by using Medicare’s Nursing Home Compare tool.
- Assess staff-to-resident ratios and staff credentials.
- Observe interactions between staff and residents during visits.
3. Specialized Services
- Ensure the facility offers services for specific needs, such as dementia care or rehabilitation.
- Check for access to physical therapy, occupational therapy, or mental health support.
4. Safety and Cleanliness
- Evaluate cleanliness, maintenance, and the overall environment.
- Ask about safety measures, including emergency response protocols and fall prevention.
5. Resident Life and Activities
- Inquire about social activities, events, and opportunities for engagement.
- Find out if there are spaces for recreation, dining, and outdoor access.
6. Meals and Nutrition
- Ask about meal plans, dietary accommodations, and food quality.
- Consider visiting during a meal to observe food service and presentation.
7. Costs and Insurance
- Get an understanding of the pricing structure, additional fees, and what is included in the cost.
- Consider your payment options: Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care insurance, or out-of-pocket.
8. Resident and Family Feedback
- Speak with current residents and their families about their experiences.
- Read online reviews but be mindful of individual biases.
9. Licensing and Certification
- Confirm the facility is licensed and certified by the appropriate state and federal agencies.
10. Trial Visits
- Arrange a trial stay or multiple visits to get a sense of day-to-day operations.
Resources to Consult
You may have several long-term care facilities in your area, so choosing the right one may feel overwhelming. However, there are rating systems you can consult to help you make a more informed decision. Among them are rankings from U.S. News & World Report, which has been publishing an annual list of what it considers to be the best nursing homes in the United States since 2009. Its 2025 evaluation includes ratings of nearly 15,000 nursing homes.
How to Pay for a Good Nursing Home
At a possible cost of $15,000 to $20,000 per month, nursing home costs can quickly drain a person’s life savings if a proper plan is not in effect. Medicare has only limited short-term rehabilitation coverage, and most people do not have long term care insurance. Many then turn to Medicaid to cover the expensive cost of the care they need. Medicaid is a joint federal and state program which can assist those with long-term care expenses. While Medicare provides very limited coverage, Medicaid is much more extensive. However, because of its restrictions, qualifying for Medicaid can be extremely difficult. But paying for a good nursing home without it could be all but impossible.
Although Medicaid requirements vary from state to state, they all share one common element: complexity. Each state specifies a maximum allowed income for individuals and couples in order to qualify for Medicaid. Also, the applicant’s total countable assets cannot exceed a specified amount called the Resource Allowance, which is consistently very low (i.e., $31,175 in New York in 2024). Although certain possessions, like your home and automobile, may be “exempted” for purposes of determining Medicaid eligibility under certain circumstances, this figure is still alarming.
What can you do if the value of your “non-exempt” assets exceeds the applicable allowances? If you give your extra assets away, which seems like an obvious choice, you may be subject to the “Transfer Penalty Rule” disqualifying you from receiving Medicaid for months or years, depending on how much you gave away. However, with proper legal advice, the “Transfer Penalty Rule” may be able to be minimized or even completely avoided.
This is only a brief and oversimplified review of a few Medicaid rules, of which there are many more. Navigating them on your own could be a nightmare at best and subject you to penalties at worst. Fortunately, though, our experienced professionals can guide you through the Medicaid maze. Our legal team can advise you throughout the application process, ensuring that you (and your spouse, if applicable) retain the maximum income and total assets allowed by law.
Finding the Right ‘Good’ Nursing Home
After considering the factors above and researching various resources, start visiting nursing homes in your area. Before you sign any admission contract or agreement, consult an attorney. The experienced elder law attorneys at Kurre Schneps can guide you through the paperwork required to become a resident in the nursing homes you are considering. We also can help you figure out potential options to pay for long-term care.
