Federal Web Site Rates Nation’s Nursing Homes

July 14, 2009

When a federal agency created a Web site that rated the nation’s 15,600 nursing homes, many families were relieved to know that they would be able to choose a better home for their elderly loved ones. The system used a style not unlike that used by movie review sites. Each home receives one to five stars, based on several criteria, including: number of employees, state health inspection results, and the number of hours licensed nursing care is provided on a daily basis.

All of the nursing homes in the United States can be searched and though it is still recommended that families visit homes before they move their relatives in, the system was expected to make the search much easier.

However, recent complaints from individuals, families, and consumer protection groups have made it clear that the system is not as comprehensive as many had hoped. For example, the number of employees does not necessarily correlate to the quality of care that residents of a nursing home receive. Many are recommending that the site include more specific information pertaining to the health inspections and more accurate statistics.