Resources for families

Choosing an adult care setting is one of the most stressful decisions a family makes. These guides walk you through what to ask, what to look for, and what your loved one's rights are.

• Residents' Rights

  Federal protections every nursing-home resident has — from visitation to medical records to grievance procedures.

• Visit Checklist

  A printable checklist for what to look for when you tour a facility — staffing, cleanliness, residents, food, and more.

• How to Read CMS Data

  A plain-English walkthrough of the CMS Five-Star rating system, what each sub-rating means, and where the data comes from.

• Glossary

  A-to-Z definitions of the terms you'll encounter in adult day care and elder care — in plain English.