1. Decide what kind of care is needed
If your relative needs nursing care every day, look at nursing homes. If the need is help with meals, bathing and medications, look at assisted living. The doctor or the hospital discharge planner can tell you which fits.
2. Make a short list
Choose the city or ZIP code and compare three to five homes. For nursing homes look at Medicare stars and the findings of the latest inspection cycle.
3. Read the record
In a nursing home record look for findings with actual harm, Medicare's abuse flag and fines. In an assisted living record look for Type A citations and substantiated complaint allegations.
4. Call
Ask what was corrected after the last inspection, how many staff work at night and on weekends, and whether someone speaks your relative's language.
5. Visit, more than once
Come at different times of day, including a meal. Notice how staff speak with residents. Talk to residents and to other families if you can.
6. Before you sign
Ask for the admission agreement in advance. Find out what the price includes and what costs extra. In a nursing home ask which ways of paying it accepts.
Guides
Nursing home or assisted living in California: what is the difference
Nursing homes give 24-hour nursing care and are inspected for Medicare. Assisted living helps with daily life and is licensed by the state. How they differ and how to check each.
How to read a nursing home inspection record
What inspection findings mean: the four severity levels from A to L, how widespread a problem was, why the count alone misleads, and what fines show.