Skilled Nursing Facility Evaluation Visit Checklist

Our guide "What Should I Look for when Visiting a Prospective Nursing Home?" discusses visits as a way to evaluate skilled nursing facilities that you are considering for your loved one. This checklist will help ensure that you do not miss any areas of consideration and that you evaluate each candidate facility the same.

• Is the facility Medicare-certified?

• Is the facility Medicaid-certified?

• Does the facility have a bed available, or is there a waiting list?

• Can the facility provide any specialized medical services needed for the patient?

• Is the facility close enough for friends and family to visit easily?

• Are the residents well-groomed and dressed properly for the time of day, season, and weather?

• Does the facility have any strong, unpleasant odors throughout?

• Is the facility clean and well-maintained?

• Is the temperature in the facility comfortable?

• Is the facility well-lit?

• Is the facility excessively noisy?

• Are the furnishings sturdy, clean, and well-maintained?

• Do staff members appear to be polite, respectful, and friendly toward residents?

• Do the residents appear to be friendly toward the staff?

• Do all staff members wear nametags?

• Do staff members knock and ask permission before entering resident rooms?

• Does the facility perform background checks on staff members as part of the hiring process?

• Is there a continuing education program in place for the staff?

• Is there a registered nurse (RN) (other than the Director of Nursing) on duty in the facility at all times?

• Does the same team of staff members (nurses and nursing assistants) work with a given resident 4-5 days per week?

• Is the staff-to-resident ratio reasonable? Do staff members seem rushed, frustrated, or overworked?

• Are the nursing assistants involved in care plan meetings?

• Does the facility have a full-time social worker?

• Does the facility have a physician on staff? Is he or she at the facility daily? Is he or she on call?

• Has the facility's management team worked together for more than a year?

• Are residents allowed to have personal furniture and/or belongings in their rooms?

• Does each resident have separate personal storage space in his or her room?

• Does each room have a window?

• Does each resident have his or her own telephone and television?

• Do residents have a choice of roommate?

• Does the facility have policies and procedures to protect residents' property?

• Does the facility have quiet, private areas where residents can meet with visitors?

• Do residents have a choice of foods at each meal?

• Are nutritious snacks available on request?

• Are staff members available to assist residents at mealtimes if needed?

• Are activities available to all residents, including those who are unable to leave their rooms?

• Does the facility have outdoor areas accessible to residents and staff members to assist those who wish to go outside?

• Does the facility have a volunteer program?

• Are all exits clearly marked?

• Does the facility have sprinklers and smoke detectors?

• Do the hallways and bathrooms have hand- or grab rails?

• Are all common areas, rooms, and doorways designed for easy wheelchair access?

• Does the facility have an evacuation plan and hold regular fire drills?

• Do residents receive regular preventive care, such as influenza immunizations?

• Are residents allowed to see their personal physicians?

• Does the facility have an arrangement for emergency care with a nearby hospital?

• Does the facility offer flexibility in holding care plan meetings at times that are convenient for family members?

• Ask to review the last state inspection report. Have all deficiencies been corrected? If not, what is the facility's plan to correct them?