Choosing a nursing home is a personal decision. This guide lays out a neutral, general process you can follow using public CMS data and official sources — it does not recommend any facility or tell you which to pick.
Key points
✓Start from the care needs, then build a shortlist.
✓Compare facilities on the same CMS fields.
✓Tour in person and confirm details with official sources.
1. Identify the care needs
Begin with the level of care needed — short-term rehabilitation, long-term care, memory care, or another need — and the preferred location. This shapes which facilities are relevant.
2. Build a shortlist from public data
Use search to filter by state, county, city, or ZIP and see the CMS-certified nursing homes in the area. Each profile summarizes the CMS records included in this dataset — ratings, inspection findings, federal penalty records, staffing, and ownership.
3. Compare on the same fields
For each shortlisted facility, look at the CMS overall rating and its components — health inspection, staffing, and quality measures — side by side, then review the records. Comparing the same fields keeps the comparison fair. See the guide on how to compare nursing homes.
4. Tour in person and ask questions
Public data is a starting point, not a substitute for a visit. Tour the facilities you are considering and ask questions directly. See the guide on questions to ask when touring a nursing home.
5. Verify with official sources
CMS data can lag current conditions. Confirm the details that matter on the official CMS Care Compare site and with the facility, and consult qualified professionals about your specific situation. This is general information, not medical, legal, or care-placement advice.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I start when choosing a nursing home?▾
Start with the care needs and location, build a shortlist with public CMS data, compare facilities on the same CMS fields, tour in person, and verify with official sources.
Can public data tell me which nursing home is right for me?▾
No. Public CMS data helps you compare facilities on the same factual fields, but the decision is personal — visit in person and consult qualified professionals.
Is this site official?▾
No. SeniorCareRating.com organizes public CMS data and is not affiliated with CMS or any facility. Always verify with official CMS Care Compare.
Verify with official sources
SeniorCareRating.com organizes public CMS data and is not affiliated with CMS or any facility. Confirm current details on the official CMS Care Compare site and with the facility before making decisions.
SeniorCareRating.com summarizes public CMS data. It is not affiliated with CMS, Medicare.gov, or any nursing home. Data may lag current conditions. This is not medical, legal, or care-placement advice — always verify with official sources and qualified professionals.
