Choose the nursing home that meets your needs

Talk with people who understand your personal and health care needs. This can include your family, friends, doctor, clergy, spiritual advisor, hospital discharge planner, or social worker.

  • If you find more than one nursing home you like with a bed available, use all the information you can to compare them. 
  • If you’re in a hospital and decide not to go to a certain nursing home that has an available bed, talk to the hospital discharge planner or your doctor. They may be able to help you find a more suitable nursing home or arrange for other care, like short-term home care, until a bed is available at another nursing home you choose. However, you may be responsible for paying the bill for any additional days you stay in the hospital.
  • If you don’t like the nursing home you’re currently living in, you can move to another facility with an available bed. The nursing home you leave may require you to let them know ahead of time that you’re planning to leave. Ask the nursing home staff about their rules for leaving. If you don’t follow the rules for leaving, you may have to pay extra fees.
     

Visit acl.gov to learn about other long-term care options.