Taking a tour of the facility is an important part of choosing the right nursing home. You can consult friends and family and even look at state regulatory sources, but until you see the home for yourself, there’s no way to really know if it’s the right fit for you or your loved one.

Most nursing homes will be happy to set up a tour-- just call or visit the home’s website to arrange one.  Nursing home tours include meeting with staff members and administrators, and a walk through the facility. It’s also the time when you can ask about monthly pricing and payment options.

Angie’s List member Francha Menhard says she wanted to observe the nursing home when it wasn’t expecting visitors, so she showed up unannounced to The Manor on Marston Lake in Littleton, Colo. “I didn’t make a reservation,” she says. “I just walked right in because I figured I should see how they perform when they’re not prepared for me.”

She says she the entire Denver-area nursing home impressed her from the beginning. “It “was very homey, it just didn’t feel institutional, she says.

Menhard toured the dining room and resident rooms, spoke with the nursing staff and asked about the activities, but there was one thing in particular that convinced her she had found the right place for her mom. “The owner was on site and the owner’s parents were living at the nursing home,” she says. “There was no reason to look any further.”

Menhard says The Manor on Marston Lake was a good fit for her mother because it helped her with her daily activities, but it also allowed her to retain some independence. “I wanted her to be treated with respect, and well-taken care of, but also allowed to everything she possible can do because she was still pretty active,” she says.

If you plan to tour a nursing home, Menhard recommends staying calm, and having a list of concerns ready so you can make sure the home can accommodate your needs.

Next: Observe the staff