How To: Find the Best Nursing Home
Lean the 5 simple steps on how to find the best nursing home near you.
“Never put me in a nursing home!” - What most of our parents have told us, and what that actually means.
If you were in a room full of individuals over the age of 75, less than ten percent would raise their hand if you asked, “Who wants to move into a nursing home when you are unable to care for yourself?” Of the few who might consider a nursing home, they often say it’s because they couldn’t afford to hire private in-home caregivers, they don’t have family close by, or don’t want to burden family or friends. These are all situations most of us will face someday.
While nursing homes usually come with a negative connotation, a great deal has changed and improved since the days of long, dark hallways and bad sights and smells you might remember from the 80’s. From small home-like environments to rather lavish options with five-star dining and service, skilled-nursing facilities and nursing homes are not all created equal. With a resource like Senior Care Finder, you can now search and compare real, transparent information to help you find the best nursing home.
Key Takeaways
Understanding whether your loved one needs daily support, clinical care, or around-the-clock nursing services is the first step in identifying the right long-term care solution. Use care level FAQs and tools to guide your decision.
Don’t rely on outdated impressions—today’s skilled nursing facilities offer a wide range of environments and services. Use platforms like Senior Care Finder to compare CMS star ratings, staffing levels, and inspection reports side by side.
A facility may look great on paper, but touring in person (or virtually) and speaking directly with staff provides essential insight into responsiveness, culture, and overall quality. Use checklists and ask specific questions to make a confident choice.
Table of Contents
- Overview
- Step 1: Determine Your Care Needs
- Step 2: Search for a Nursing Home
- Step 3: Compare Nursing Homes
- Step 4: Take a Tour
- Step 5: Decide on The Best Option
- Find the Right Nursing Home
- Conclusion
Step 1: Determine Your Care Needs
The first step is to determine the level of care you might need. Do you just need help with a few daily activities such as cooking and cleaning? Or will you require a nurse to help with clinical needs such as wound care, medication oversight and management, or support for more than half the day? Review our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to determine what level of care is right for you.
Step 2: Search for a Nursing Home
Once you have decided that a nursing home is right for you, it is best to complete a search for nursing homes in your area. You can search by city, county, and/or zip code to help narrow your results.
Step 3: Compare Nursing Homes
From there, you can compare up to three living communities, and review their quality ratings, staffing ratings, and health inspection details. The compare feature allows you to see side-by-side comparisons, along with photos, video tours, and floor plans. Quality ratings are provided by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and are updated regularly. We recommend reviewing these closely, however, it should not replace calling each living community directly. We encourage you to connect with a few nursing homes and to use Medicare’s nursing home checklist to know exactly what to ask. You will learn a lot from each community’s responsiveness and willingness to help. If a community doesn’t have exceptional customer service and isn’t responsive now, they probably won’t be once you move in.
Step 4: Take a Tour
After you have identified a nursing home that’s right for you, go for an in-person or virtual tour. You will want to be absolutely sure it’s the right place for you. Take along notes from your previous conversation, as well as the checklist and clarify any final questions you might have.
Step 5: Decide on The Best Option
You may always feel like you just need more information to make your decision. However, if you need significant clinical support, it is best to get the help you need and deserve. You’ve done your homework and it’s the right choice!
Corner rooms and granite countertops might be at the top of your list of requirements, but we recommend digging deeper to find the best nursing home for you. Senior Care Finder is the only online resource that allows you to search, compare, and find the best nursing home care. Complete an advanced search for nursing homes/long-term care options in your area, and utilize the ‘Compare’ feature to review the CMS star ratings, staffing and health inspection ratings, and more. Once you have narrowed down your search, we empower you to contact the provider directly for a visit or tour before making your choice.
Find The Right Nursing Home
Senior Care Finder is committed to providing its comprehensive directory of assisted living communities and services. Each listing includes valuable information about assisted living amenities and features, a list of the services and room types provided, and more.
Conclusion
Finding the right nursing home can feel overwhelming—but with the right tools, guidance, and questions, you can make a confident, informed decision. Whether you're looking for skilled nursing care after a hospital stay or long-term support for a loved one with chronic health needs, today’s nursing homes offer a wide range of care environments—from cozy and home-like to modern and amenity-rich.
By carefully assessing care needs, using trusted comparison tools, and touring facilities in person, you can ensure your family member receives not just the care they need—but the quality of life they deserve.
At Senior Care Finder, we make it easier to search, compare, and connect with nursing homes in your area—no hidden fees, just transparent information to help you take the next step with confidence.