Nursing Home Checklist: Questions to Ask Before You Choose
Choosing a nursing home is one of the most important decisions a family can make. Walking into a facility without a plan makes it easy to miss critical red flags — or to overlook what makes a great facility stand out. Use this checklist before committing to any skilled nursing or long-term care facility in Missouri or anywhere in the country.
Before the Tour: Research Checklist
- ☐ Look up the facility’s CMS star rating at Medicare.gov Care Compare
- ☐ Review the health inspection report — note the number and severity of deficiencies
- ☐ Check staffing data — compare RN hours per resident day to state and national averages
- ☐ Search for AHCA quality award recognition (Bronze, Silver, Gold)
- ☐ Check Newsweek’s annual Best Nursing Homes rankings
- ☐ Read reviews on Caring.com and SeniorAdvisor.com
- ☐ Confirm the facility accepts your insurance (Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance)
- ☐ Confirm the facility has beds available for your needed level of care
During the Tour: What to Observe
- ☐ Is the facility clean and free of strong odors?
- ☐ Are residents engaged, dressed, and out of their rooms?
- ☐ Do staff interact warmly and respectfully with residents?
- ☐ Are call lights answered promptly?
- ☐ Is the dining room clean and appealing?
- ☐ Is there an activities calendar with varied programming?
- ☐ Is outdoor space available and accessible?
- ☐ Are residents involved in care planning decisions?
Questions to Ask the Admissions Team
About Staffing
- ☐ What is your current RN-to-resident ratio on day and evening shifts?
- ☐ What percentage of your nursing staff is agency or temporary?
- ☐ What is your annual staff turnover rate?
- ☐ Is a registered nurse on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week?
About Therapy (for short-term rehab)
- ☐ How many minutes of physical therapy will my loved one receive per day?
- ☐ Is therapy provided 7 days a week?
- ☐ What is your average length of stay for short-term rehab patients?
- ☐ What percentage of short-stay patients are successfully discharged to home?
- ☐ Are therapists employed directly or contracted through an agency?
About Quality and Safety
- ☐ What is your facility’s hospitalization rate for residents?
- ☐ What quality awards or recognitions has your facility earned?
- ☐ When was your most recent state inspection and what were the results?
- ☐ How do you handle resident or family complaints?
About Costs and Insurance
- ☐ Do you accept Medicare Part A?
- ☐ Do you accept Medicaid (MO HealthNet)?
- ☐ What is the private pay daily rate?
- ☐ Are there additional charges not covered by Medicare?
- ☐ What happens if Medicare coverage ends — can my loved one stay on Medicaid?
About Daily Life
- ☐ What are visiting hours? Are there restrictions?
- ☐ Can residents personalize their rooms?
- ☐ What does a typical daily schedule look like?
- ☐ Are there options for dietary preferences or restrictions?
- ☐ Is transportation available for medical appointments?
After the Tour: Decision Checklist
- ☐ Compare notes from all facilities toured
- ☐ Check references — ask to speak with current residents or families
- ☐ Confirm the admission agreement covers all expected costs
- ☐ Read the admission agreement carefully before signing
- ☐ Know your rights — request a copy of the Resident Rights document
Scenic Nursing and Rehabilitation Center — Passes Every Checklist Item
Scenic Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Herculaneum, MO has earned Newsweek Best Nursing Homes 2025, AHCA Silver Quality Award 2024, and Top 10 Nursing Homes in Missouri 2021 recognition. We welcome family tours and encourage questions.
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