I came across this post in Bill Jackson's Elder Abuse Blog regarding the selection of a nursing home.  We are so connected to the internet and its resources for checking on people and facilities that we have become disconnected with actually going out and getting our hands dirty when investigating nursing homes for a loved one.  Preliminary research may be effectively done on a computer, but as Bill Jackson recently wrote in is blog, nothing can take the place of your senses.

A visit with the following in mind will give you the best idea of how your loved one will live on a daily basis at each facility.

Look

Look at the residents and staff.  Do they seem rushed and frantic?  Are the residents alert or do they seem glassy eyed?  Are people smiling?

Listen

What do you hear?  Is it resident's yelling in pain?  Worse yest do you hear staff speaking to the residents in a harsh tone?  Is the tv blaring in a room where a resident is sleeping?  Are call bells continually going off? 

Smell

Does the facility smell clean?  Go into the cafeteria, does it smell like food?  Is the smell of urine, vomit or feces anywhere?  If so, your on site inspection is done.