The Short Answer
Finding a good nursing home for a loved one starts with looking past the marketing materials and doing real research. Check the facility's record with North Carolina's Division of Aging and Health Services, which tracks regulatory compliance and inspection history. Visit in person, ask about staff-to-patient ratios, and talk to families of current or former residents. If your loved one suffers abuse, neglect, or injury in a nursing home, you have legal options — contact us to find out how we can help.
Finding a good nursing home is sometimes one of the most difficult things to do for our elderly loved ones. There are several ways to narrow down the choices as to which nursing home you will place you loved one in. Below are some things you can do to find a good nursing home and to make sure your loved one is being given the care they deserve.
Do not be fooled by flashy brochures provided by the nursing home. Most nursing homes are owned by large corporations and no matter what the brochure states the main job of the nursing home is to make money for its parent corporation. If the nursing home is understaffed and under supplied, the parent corporation makes more money, but patient care may suffer. You may want to do internet research on the parent company.
You can check with the state in which the nursing home is located. Most states have regulatory agencies that oversee the nursing home. Some things you will want to learn more about include:
1. Getting references from others who have had loved ones at the nursing home.
2. Finding out the staff-to-patient ratio. You want to make sure the nursing home is not understaffed.
3. The rights of the patients at the nursing home.
4. Make sure you visit the nursing home to see for yourself what the living conditions are.
You can find even more valuable information on how to find a good nursing home here at the North Carolina Division of Aging and Health Services website. If you suspect that a loved one is suffering from nursing home abuse, neglect, or injury, contact Duncan Law today to find out how we can help.
Key Takeaways
- Don't rely on nursing home brochures — most facilities are owned by large corporations whose financial incentives don't always align with quality patient care.
- Check the facility's inspection and complaint history through the North Carolina Division of Aging and Health Services before making any decisions.
- Staff-to-patient ratio is one of the most telling indicators of care quality — understaffing is a leading cause of neglect and preventable harm.
- An in-person visit is essential — observe the cleanliness, staff interactions, and overall environment firsthand, not just through a virtual tour or photos.
- Ask for references from other families who have had loved ones at the facility and take their experiences seriously.
- If you suspect a loved one is experiencing nursing home abuse, neglect, or injury, legal help is available — don't wait to reach out.
Attorney Insight
The cases that break my heart most aren't the financial ones — they're the families who come to us after a loved one was harmed in a facility they chose based on a glossy brochure and a well-staged tour. In North Carolina, the Division of Aging and Health Services maintains public inspection records that most families never think to check. Doing that research upfront — before signing anything — is the single most protective step a family can take. By the time neglect becomes obvious, real damage has often already been done.
