When a loved one needs long-term care, the search for the right nursing home or assisted living facility can feel overwhelming. But with the right approach, you can find the perfect place to meet their needs. What this really means is looking past the glossy lobbies and examining the true quality of care.

Start with Government Ratings

While regulation of assisted living facilities varies greatly by state, nursing homes are monitored by the federal government. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) maintains detailed records on nursing homes, including data on ownership, staffing levels, and any violations. They even assign each facility a star rating from one to five.

Dig Deeper Than the Ratings

As consumer advocate Sam Brooks points out, those star ratings "can be notoriously unreliable" since they rely on self-reported data from the facilities. The bigger picture here is that the ratings are a good starting point to rule out the worst options, but you'll need to do your own investigation to find the best fit.

Brooks recommends looking closely at four- and five-star homes, and also considering the ownership model - nonprofit facilities often have better staffing. Scour inspection reports and online reviews, but don't stop there. Visiting in person is crucial to getting the full picture.

Look Past the Lobby Decor

When touring potential facilities, Mark Sanchez, CEO of United Hebrew senior living, advises, "When I tour a building, I listen first. Is it loud? Are call bells ringing nonstop?" After that initial auditory assessment, he says to engage your other senses - do you detect any odors, and how are the staff interacting with residents?

The bottom line is that finding the right long-term care option for a loved one takes diligence, but it's worth the effort to ensure they receive the best possible support and quality of life. As NPR recently reported, the stakes are high, so don't be afraid to look past first impressions and dig deeper.