Nursing Home Care

Some of us will be faced with the prospect of moving ourselves or a loved one into a nursing home. It may be a decision that arrives suddenly following hospitalization, or gradually as needs become more difficult to meet in the home or community.


This can be a very stressful decision therefore it is important to educate yourself about nursing homes in order to make a decision that's right for you or a loved one.


A nursing home is normally the highest level of care for older adults outside of a hospital. Nursing homes provide what is called custodial care, including getting in and out of bed, and providing assistance with feeding, bathing, and dressing. However, nursing homes differ from other senior housing facilities in that they also provide a high level of medical care. A licensed physician supervises each patient’s care and a nurse or other medical professional is almost always on the premises. Skilled nursing care is available on site, usually 24 hours a day. Other medical professionals, such as occupational or physical therapists, are also available. This allows the delivery of medical procedures and therapies on site that would not be possible in other housing.

  • Finding the right nursing home may not be easy, and you may be under pressure to move fast due to a recent hospitalization or rapid deterioration of health. The more information you have, the greater your chances of finding the right fit for you or a loved one. Call

    NY Connects

    at (585)-396-4047 for help with understanding your options.

How to Choose a Nursing Home:

  • First start with getting recommendations or referrals from your physician, family or friends
  • Use the online Medicare.gov resource to compare nursing home rankings. (https://www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare/search.html)
  • Contact the Long-term Care Ombudsman at Lifespan (585-244-8400), which can be a resource about the current condition of a nursing home.
  • Consider your medical needs. Different nursing homes may have more expertise in different areas. Ask if they are experienced in handling your condition, such as for Alzheimer’s or a stroke. Also, some nursing homes are may have more expertise for short-term rehabilitation.
  • Factor in distance, try to make it easier for family and friends to visit.

What to look for in a Nursing Home staff:

  • How frequently does the staff turnover? What is the staffing level on weekdays, weekends, and evenings?
  • Do they have time to speak with you, or does it feel rushed?
  • How do they handle emergencies or accidents such as falls?
  • Does the staff interact warmly with current residents?

What to look for in current residents and their families:

  • Do the residents appear happy, engaged or excessively groggy and overmedicated? Do they seem clean and well groomed?
  • Are the residents engaged in activities?