Nursing Homes

Some people need nursing facility care temporarily, to recuperate after an illness or hospital stay. Others need long-term care and may live in a nursing facility for an extended period. It is important to find a facility that meets individual needs and preferences while enhancing the quality of life and providing quality care.

This section of the Web site offers the guidance and tools necessary for you to evaluate your nursing home alternatives.

• Payment explains the various ways to cover the cost of nursing home care.

• Know Your Rights explains the various legal protections residents have, and how residents, guardians, or family members can evaluate and act on any concerns.

• Additional Help helps you find the right people or groups who can support you through the process.

• About the Ratings tells you how we rate the facilities. All of the skilled nursing facilities in California are included in these ratings.

	For guidance in finding the best facility for your needs, see "Guide to Choosing a Nursing Facility." For help with preparing for an initial visit to a nursing facility, see "Preparing for an Initial Visit to a Nursing Facility." And for help with recording information to compare nursing facilities after visiting them, see the "Checklist for Evaluating a Nursing Facility."

This Web site also offers similar guidance should you find that your needs might better be met by home health care or hospice services. And if you want them, it helps you locate other options for care, all available in the sections on the left side of this page.

If you'd like to go directly to ratings for nursing homes, choose "Nursing Homes" from the drop-down menu at the top of this page and enter a Zip Code, or click on "More Search Options" for other ways to find a facility.