One of the toughest decisions that a family faces arises when we need to care for those relatives whom are older and unable to care for themselves. As our relatives get older, they may not need as much room as they did when they had a growing family. Plus, the upkeep of a large home can be overwhelming as our loved ones age. Perhaps living in the family home after the loss of a spouse is too much to bear. Whatever the reason, when we are choosing a nursing home for our loved ones, we want to select the “right” one. We want to make sure our loved one is comfortable, has people to socialize with, and will receive proper medical care. The needs and wants of our loved ones must be balanced with what is medically best for them. Choosing the right nursing home can be a daunting task. As a result, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has published a Nursing Home Checklist to use when visiting nursing homes. This checklist allows you to compare nursing homes by obtaining important details of each nursing home you visit, including basic information, resident appearance, nursing home living spaces, staff, residents’ rooms, hallway, stairs, lounges, and bathrooms, menus and food, activities, and most importantly, safety and care. To obtain your own copy of the full checklist, click here: //www.medicare.gov/nursing/checklist.pdf.