Is the home licensed by the New York State Health Department?

Can it supply the precise medical and nursing care needed by the prospective resident?

Is the location convenient?

Are the visiting hours sufficient to enable friends to visit frequently?

Is the general atmosphere homelike? Is the facility clean, orderly, and relatively free of unpleasant odors?

Do residents look well cared for, clean, and comfortable?

Does at least one doctor spend time in the home with the residents and the nursing staff? And does the home report to a resident’s personal physician on his or her condition?

How many nurses are there, what is their training, and how much supervision do they supply? Are they easily summoned at night?

What dental treatment and other special medical attention, such as foot care by a podiatrist, are available to residents?

Are there facilities for rehabilitation and are they used regularly? Is the nursing staff trained in basic rehabilitation techniques and in sub-acute medical care?

What safety precautions are in place, such as fire escapes, ramps for quick evacuation in case of emergency?

Does the home maintain high standards of food service? Will the home prepare therapeutic diets, such as those required by a diabetic?

Does each resident have sufficient space for personal possessions? Are telephones, radios and televisions available?

Are residents encouraged to dine together and socialize? And is the staff friendly toward residents?

Are recreational services available?

Are there arrangements for volunteers to come in and socialize with residents?