Nursing Home Research Guide
Guides and resources to help families make informed nursing home decisions — based on government data, not paid placements.
10 Questions to Ask Any Nursing Home Before You Commit
Most families tour nursing homes under extreme time pressure. These 10 questions — based on CMS inspection data and geriatric care research — help you cut through the sales pitch and get to what actually predicts care quality.
What Is a Nursing Home Abuse Citation? What Families Need to Know
When CMS flags a nursing home with an abuse citation, it means inspectors found evidence that a resident was abused or neglected — not just that a complaint was filed. Here's exactly what it means, how it's determined, and what you should do if a facility you're considering has one.
How to Read CMS Five-Star Nursing Home Ratings (And Why They Matter)
The CMS Five-Star rating system is the most reliable public tool for comparing nursing home quality — but most families don't know how to read it. Here's exactly what each component means.
10 Red Flags for Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect
Knowing what to look for before and after placement could save your loved one from serious harm. These are the red flags families most often miss — and how to spot them in CMS data before you even visit.
What Nursing Home Staffing Hours Actually Mean (And What Numbers Are Safe)
Staffing is the single strongest predictor of nursing home quality. Here's how to read staffing numbers, what thresholds matter, and which metrics most families overlook.