Checklist

Nursing-home tour checklist

A nursing-home tour is often the fastest way to see how a facility actually works. Use this free checklist to compare options calmly and ask the right questions—without sharing medical records.

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Before you tour: set up, bring the right items, and protect privacy

Tours are stressful, especially after a hospital discharge. Taking time to compare facilities is wise, and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed.

Northhaven Care is a free matching + information service, not a care provider, and we do not collect medical records. If you use our matching, some facilities may pay a flat fee to be matched; this does not change what you pay and does not affect our independent guidance about Medicare or Medicaid.

Before you go, write down: the name of the facility, the unit (if you know it), the type of care you are seeking (skilled nursing/rehab vs. long-term care), and the dates your relative might need care. Bring a pen and a notebook. You can also bring a printed list of questions from this page.

Privacy tip: you do not need to share medical history, diagnoses, medications, insurance numbers, SSNs, or immigration documents on the tour. It’s okay to say, “We’ll provide details to the admissions team later if needed,” and focus today on how care is delivered and supported.

Use the checklist during the tour (what to look for and what to ask)

Go room to room, not just the lobby. Pay attention to how people are treated, how staff communicate, and whether the facility looks clean and organized.

If the facility offers a tour “of the building,” ask to see the areas your relative would likely use: the room type you are considering, the dining area, shared spaces, therapy rooms (if applicable), and how residents get help with daily needs.

Bring your questions. If you’re unsure, it’s okay to ask the same question in a different way: “Can you show me how you do that every day?” and “What would be different for someone who needs more help?”

Staff interaction: Do residents have call lights within reach? Do staff answer calmly and promptly?
Cleanliness and odors: Are common areas clean and well maintained? How does the facility handle spills and laundry?
Safety: Are floors clear of clutter? Are handrails and mobility supports used appropriately?
Communication: Are staff easy to understand? Is there a plan for language access (bilingual staff or interpreter services)?

Ask about care delivery: staffing, training, and day-to-day support

Skilled nursing—round-the-clock care from licensed nurses—may be needed after a hospital stay. For this reason, staffing is one of the most important tour topics.

In the US, a common way families compare quality is the Medicare CMS Five-Star rating. It has three parts: (1) health inspections, (2) staffing, and (3) quality measures. Staffing—especially how many residents each nurse or aide cares for—is often the most telling for “will my relative get timely help?”

During your tour, ask for plain explanations of staffing coverage and who helps with daily activities. Aim for specific, not vague, answers.

“Who provides care overnight, and how are residents monitored?”
“How do you handle call lights—what’s the typical response time?”
“How are staffing levels affected on weekends and holidays?”
“What training do nurses and aides receive for common needs (for example: falls risk, mobility, skin care)?”
“How do you communicate changes in condition to the family and the medical team?”

Tour-specific questions for rehab and long-term residents

If you’re seeking short-term rehab after a hospital stay, ask how therapy is planned. If you’re planning for long-term care, ask how daily life is supported and how care plans are updated.

For rehab: ask how therapy schedules are set, who does therapy, and how progress is tracked. For long-term care: ask how staff address changing needs over time and how residents can participate in activities.

Avoid promises. A careful facility will explain their process clearly, even if they can’t guarantee outcomes.

Rehab: “How is therapy scheduled each day, and how do you adjust when goals change?”
Rehab: “What happens if the therapy team recommends a different plan?”
Long-term: “What activities are available, and how are residents encouraged to join safely?”
Long-term: “How do care plans get updated when a resident’s needs change?”

Ask about meals, hygiene, medication processes, and resident rights

Daily care is a big part of quality. During the tour, watch whether residents look clean and comfortable and whether staff treat residents with respect.

Ask how the facility handles meals (including special diets), hygiene support, and medication safety. The goal is to understand the routines, not to review medical records during the tour.

Also ask about resident rights and complaint processes so you know what “help if something goes wrong” looks like.

Meals: “How do you provide special diets? Can residents choose from options each day?”
Hygiene: “How often do you help with bathing or grooming, and who assists?”
Medication safety: “How do you ensure medications are given correctly and on time?”
Concerns: “How can families raise concerns, and who responds?”
Language access: “What interpreter or translation options are available for families and residents?”

After the tour: compare notes, check official ratings, and plan next steps

After each tour, write a quick summary while it’s fresh: what you saw, what was answered well, and what felt unclear. If something was missing—like language help, staffing coverage, or a clear complaint process—write it down. You can use these notes to compare facilities objectively.

Check official information before deciding. Medicare.gov Care Compare includes the Five-Star rating components (health inspections, staffing, quality measures). For extra support, Northhaven Care’s guide on how to choose a nursing home and our help with quality and ratings can help you interpret what you see.

If you want, you can also explore our free matching service at get-matched. Some facilities may pay a flat fee to be matched, but that does not change your costs or affect our guidance about Medicare/Medicaid. Qualifying for care is separate from immigration status, and help is often available in the family’s language.

Finally, be mindful of cost planning. Nursing-home and skilled-nursing costs vary widely by state, level of care, and room type. As a planning range, skilled-nursing/nursing-home care often roughly falls in the $7,000–$13,000+ per month range, but your actual cost may be different. Medicare may cover short-term skilled care (often up to 100 days) after a qualifying hospital stay, with cost-sharing after day 20. Medicaid may cover long-term nursing care for those who qualify based on income and assets, with rules that vary by state. For official eligibility details, contact Medicare.gov and your state Medicaid office and consider the state long-term-care ombudsman.

In plain words

Use this checklist to tour nursing homes thoughtfully—focus on staffing, daily routines, and official ratings, and don’t share medical records during the visit.

Questions families ask

What should I bring to a nursing-home tour if I’m not sure what questions to ask?

Bring a notebook and pen, a list of the type of care you are looking for (skilled nursing/rehab vs. long-term), and your top concerns (like language help, staffing coverage, or timely help from call lights). You can also print this checklist and mark answers during the tour.

How do I interpret the Medicare “Five-Star” rating when I visit?

The Five-Star rating includes three parts: health inspections, staffing, and quality measures. Staffing is often the most useful for understanding day-to-day help, especially nurse and aide coverage.

Do I need to give medical information during the tour?

No. For the tour, you can ask process and staffing questions without sharing medical records, diagnoses, medication lists, Medicare/Medicaid numbers, SSNs, or immigration documents. You can say you’ll share details with admissions later if needed.

Will Medicare or Medicaid cover nursing-home care after discharge?

Coverage depends on the situation and your relative’s eligibility. Medicare may cover short-term skilled nursing after a qualifying hospital stay, while Medicaid may cover long-term nursing care for those who qualify based on income and assets. Rules vary by state, so check Medicare.gov and your state Medicaid office for official guidance.

How can I raise concerns if I’m worried about care once someone is admitted?

Ask during the tour: who you contact, how quickly concerns are handled, and the formal complaint process. If you believe something is unsafe or not being addressed, you can also contact your state long-term-care ombudsman for guidance.

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