Guides

12 questions to ask on a nursing home tour

Updated 2026-08-29 · 6 min read · Built from official CMS records. We take no money from facilities.

The inspection record tells you what state surveyors found on specific dates. A tour tells you what you can see, smell, and feel today. Both matter. Bring this list, and trust your own senses as much as the answers.

Before you go

Pull the facility's official record first so your questions are specific. If the record shows a recent staffing gap or a particular kind of citation, you can ask about that directly and watch how the staff respond. A home that answers openly is telling you something; so is one that gets defensive.

The 12 questions

1. How many nurses and aides are on each shift on this unit, including weekends and overnights?
2. What is your staff turnover, and how do you keep experienced people?
3. How do you prevent falls, and what happens after a resident falls?
4. How quickly are call lights answered, and how do you measure that?
5. How do you notify families about incidents, injuries, and changes in condition?
6. Who is the medical director, and how often does a doctor or nurse practitioner see residents?
7. How do you handle medications, and who reviews each resident's list?
8. What activities happen on a normal weekday, and can I see today's schedule?
9. May I see a sample of the food, and how do you help residents who need assistance eating?
10. What is your policy on visiting, including evenings and weekends?
11. Can I speak with a current resident or family member?
12. What were your most recent inspection findings, and what did you change?

What to notice while you are there

• Cleanliness and smell, especially in resident rooms and bathrooms.
• How staff speak to residents, and whether residents look clean, dressed, and engaged.
• Whether call lights are being answered while you walk the halls.
• Whether staff seem rushed or short-handed, especially around meal times.
• Your own gut feeling as you leave.

A facility that welcomes an unannounced evening or weekend visit is showing you confidence. Hesitation is worth noting.

Take the record with you

You can look up any Medicare-certified nursing home free: search by name, city, or ZIP on the home page. The full official record is there at no cost, and we take no money from facilities.