5 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Long-Term Care Facility

May 21, 2025

Choosing a long-term care facility for yourself or a loved one is one of the most important decisions you can make. Beyond basic safety and cleanliness, the right facility should support a person’s independence, dignity, and overall quality of life. To help you make an informed choice, here are five essential questions to ask, along with key follow-ups that can give you a deeper sense of what daily life will be like at the facility.


1. How does the facility support independence and person-centered care?

Person-centered care means that residents are active participants in their care and daily routines. Ask:


  • Can residents choose when to wake up and go to bed?
  • Are meals and activities tailored to individual preferences?
  • Is there flexibility for “early birds” and “night owls”?


Look for signs that staff respect residents’ individuality—such as accommodating dietary preferences and encouraging participation in meaningful activities.


2. What medical and rehabilitation services are available on-site?

Quality care goes beyond assistance with daily activities. Ask about:


  • Access to hospice care and pain management
  • Availability of wound care and ostomy specialists
  • In-house physical, occupational, speech, and mental health therapies
  • Staffing levels—how many nurses and aides are on duty at different times of day?


These services can have a major impact on recovery, mobility, and comfort.


3. What is the atmosphere like during meals and activities?

Daily life should be engaging and social. Ask to observe a meal or an activity session. Consider:


  • Are residents out of their rooms and interacting with others?
  • Do meals look appetizing and meet special dietary needs?
  • Is assistance with eating provided promptly and respectfully?


Also ask about field trips, volunteer involvement, and whether there is an active activities room or calendar of events.


4. What do current residents and families say about their experience?

Talking to those already living in or visiting the facility can give you valuable insight. Ask residents:


  • Do staff respond quickly when you call for help?
  • Do you enjoy your meals and feel your privacy is respected?
  • Are you involved in decisions about your care?


Ask families:

  • Are you promptly notified of any accidents or health changes?
  • Do you feel comfortable raising concerns?
  • Is there a Family Council and does the facility listen to it?


5. How transparent and responsive is the administration?

A responsive leadership team is key to resolving issues and maintaining quality. When meeting with the Administrator or Director of Nursing, ask:


  • How do you handle complaints?
  • How are staff trained and how long do they typically stay?
  • What’s your policy on resident rights, such as refusing treatment?


You can also ask to review the admission contract, learn about costs and refund policies, and understand how care decisions are made if the resident is unable to speak for themselves.


Want more questions to ask?

Visit our full guide: Is This the Nursing Home to Choose?



It includes detailed sections on services, nursing care, residents' rights, and conversations to have with administrators, staff, and families.


At Kansas Advocates for Better Care, we believe everyone deserves compassionate, dignified, and person-centered long-term care. Asking the right questions is the first step to getting it.

Advocacy in Action (September 2025): KABC Testifies on FY26 Budgets

By Libby Hastings • September 3, 2025
Dan Goodman, KABC Executive Director, recently provided testimony to both the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) during their Fiscal Year 2026 budget hearings. Our message was clear: Kansas must invest in systems that protect the dignity, independence, and well-being of older Kansans. Key Recommendations from KABC Protect Access to In-Home Services • Projected shortfalls of $27M in FY26 and $70M in FY27 threaten the HCBS Frail Elderly Waiver. • Without funding, older Kansans may face a waitlist for services, leading to premature nursing home placement. Strengthen Care Coordination • Frail Elderly, Physically Disabled, and Brain Injury waiver recipients currently lack dedicated case management. • KABC urged implementation of the long-overdue $20M Community Care Coordination Service. Improve Oversight & Resident Protections (KDADS) • Surveyor vacancies are near 50%, delaying inspections and weakening resident protections. • We called for wage increases and innovative staffing models to close gaps in oversight. Increase the Personal Needs Allowance • Nursing home residents in Kansas receive only $62/month for personal expenses. • KABC supports raising this allowance—closer to the $70 national average—and tying it to cost-of-living adjustments. Continue the Statewide Senior Resource Guide (KDADS) • KABC requested $150,000 to maintain and distribute the statewide guide annually. • This investment ensures older Kansans have access to accurate, trusted information on care and services. Why It Matters By 2030, more than 20% of Kansans will be age 65 or older. Budget decisions made today will directly impact whether older Kansans can age with dignity, safety, and independence. Read KABC’s full testimonies to KDADS here and KDHE here .

Facility #2, 3, 4, and 5, Interview with Steve

September 2, 2025
Steve shares his journey through multiple long-term care facilities after a major surgery, describing repeated medication errors, poor food quality, untrained staff, and systemic neglect. His story highlights how understaffing, weak oversight, and profit-driven management leave residents without advocacy and dignity.