Massachusetts Nursing Homes - Guide to selecting a nursing home for your loved one Start by visiting the websites of those in the geographic area you are focusing on. Call to ask some of the key questions listed below so you can reduce the list to three or four. You’ll know which facilities you want to know more about by the way your questions are addressed, the willingness of the staff to help, and whether you are invited to visit the facility. Some of these questions can be answered on the facility’s website; others you may want to ask on the phone or wait until you visit. Are rooms/beds available or is there a waiting list? Is the facility Medicare- and Medicaid-certified? What levels of care are provided? With what hospital does the facility have an emergency care arrangement? Questions about the staff 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? What is the staff-to-resident ratio? 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? Are residents allowed to see their personal physicians? Is there a professional staff member on hand 24/7? Questions regarding personal issues 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 the facility have policies and procedures to protect residents’ property? Questions about meal service Are meals prepared under the direction of a certified nutritionist? 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? Things to look for when visiting Are the residents well-groomed and dressed properly for the time of day, season, and weather? Does the facility have any strong or unpleasant odors? 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? Does the facility have private areas that are quiet where residents can meet with visitors? Does each resident’s room have a window? Do residents have their own telephone and television? Observations of staff 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? Questions about activities

1. A Guide to
Selecting the
Right Nursing
Home for Your
Loved One
www.aurumnetwork.com

2. www.aurumnetwork.com
Start by visiting the websites of those in the geographic area you are focusing
on. Call to ask some of the key questions listed below so you can reduce the
list to three or four. You’ll know which facilities you want to know more about
by the way your questions are addressed, the willingness of the staff to help,
and whether you are invited to visit the facility.

3. www.aurumnetwork.com
Setting out to select a nursing home for your loved
one can seem an overwhelming task.
Start by asking a lot of questions!

4. www.aurumnetwork.com
Some of these
questions can be
answered on the
facility’s website;
others you may want
to ask on the phone
or wait until you visit.
Are rooms/beds available or is
there a waiting list?
Is the facility Medicare- and
Medicaid-certified?
What levels of care are provided?
With what hospital does the
facility have an emergency care
arrangement?

5. www.aurumnetwork.com
Questions about
the staff...
Does the facility perform back-
ground 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 resi-
dent 4-5 days per week?

6. www.aurumnetwork.com
What is the staff-to-resident ratio?
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?
Are residents allowed to see their
personal physicians?
Is there a professional staff
member on hand 24/7?
Questions about
the staff...

7. www.aurumnetwork.com
Questions about
meal service...
Are meals prepared under the
direction of a certified nutritionist?
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?

8. www.aurumnetwork.com
Things to look for
when visiting...
Are the residents well-groomed
and dressed properly for the time
of day, season, and weather?
Does the facility have any strong
or unpleasant odors?
Is the facility clean and well-main-
tained?
Is the temperature in the facility
comfortable?
Is the facility well-lit?

9. www.aurumnetwork.com
Things to look for
when visiting...
Is the facility excessively noisy?
Are the furnishings sturdy, clean,
and well-maintained?
Does the facility have private
areas that are quiet where
residents can meet with visitors?
Does each resident’s room have a
window?
Do residents have their own
telephone and television?

10. www.aurumnetwork.com
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?
Observations of
staff...

11. www.aurumnetwork.com
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 help those who
want to go outside?
Does the facility have a volunteer
program?
Questions about
activities...

12. www.aurumnetwork.com
Your ideal visit should be late morning, mid-day or early afternoon so that you
can observe residents while they are involved in meantime or social or
recreational activities. Be sure to ask to see any area that may not be
included on your tour. When you visit with your loved one, ask to have lunch
or dinner with the residents so you can see and taste for yourselves the
variety and quality of the meal and food service.

13. Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation Centers
Aurum member nursing and rehabilitation
centers provide a wide range of high quality
medical services including:
• Postacute care
• Short-term rehabilitation
• Respite care
• Hospice care
• Long-term care
Working with each resident and their family
members, staff will customize a plan to
maximize both self-motivation and func-
tional independence. You or your loved one
will be in an atmosphere of warmth, respect
and understanding.
Find an Aurum Member Facility in your Area