In order to reduce the number of potential nursing homes to visit, or to help you make a final decision, the following resources may be consulted:

• Your state or local long-term care ombudsman, who is an advocate for nursing home residents

• Your state or local office on aging

• Hospital discharge planners and social workers

• Doctors and nurses who are familiar with nursing homes

• Clergy persons who are familiar with nursing homes

• Nursing home residents

• Family members and friends of nursing home residents

• Nursing home employees

• Medicare and Medicaid inspection reports for the particular nursing home(s)

• Medicare's website, www.medicare.gov, which has a Nursing Home Compare feature.

• The The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), previously known as the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), which is the federal agency that oversees Medicare and Medicaid at www.cms.hhs.gov

• The National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform, www.nccnhr.org

• The web site of the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), www.aarp.org