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.


Dan Goodman testifies before legislative committee

KABC Testifies Before Bethell Committee

By Libby Hastings • October 16, 2025
On Monday, October 13th, Dan Goodman, Executive Director of Kansas Advocates for Better Care (KABC), delivered testimony before the Robert G. Bethell Joint Committee on Home & Community Based Services & KanCare Oversight. His remarks focused on the urgent need to strengthen Kansas’ long-term care system through sustainable funding and workforce investments. Goodman urged legislators to provide additional funding for the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Frail Elderly waiver , noting projected shortfalls of $27 million in FY26 and $70 million in FY27. Without intervention, hundreds of older Kansans could face placement on a waitlist as early as this fall—delaying access to critical in-home services and increasing the risk of premature institutionalization. He also highlighted the need to support and stabilize the state’s long-term care workforce by exploring innovative approaches used in other states. For example, New Mexico’s Competitive Pay for Professionals program has helped attract and retain workers by linking higher wages to improved reimbursement rates and accountability measures. Goodman suggested Kansas consider similar models to strengthen its caregiving workforce and ensure providers can offer competitive pay. KABC remains committed to advocating for policies that promote quality care, protect older adults, and sustain a strong, well-supported caregiving system across Kansas. Read KABC’s full testimony here: View Testimony (PDF) Watch a full recording of the committee here: YouTube Link

Legislative Update: Nursing Home Oversight in Kansas

By Libby Hastings • October 6, 2025
On October 1st and 2nd, the 2025 Special Committee on Health and Social Services met, with the first day devoted to nursing home surveying and credentialing. The joint committee of both House and Senate members heard from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, industry representatives from Kansas and out of state, administrators, and contractors. Notably absent were the voices of consumers, their family members, and facility staff , the people most affected by long-term care policy. The committee heard information about: Survey Backlogs and Staffing Challenges KDADS contracts with the federal government to inspect adult care homes for health and safety compliance. KDADS has struggled for years to meet federal requirements, due in large part to recruiting and retaining nurse surveyor positions. More than half of the 60 approved positions were vacant earlier this year. As a result, Kansas currently averages 19.9 months between nursing home inspections , far beyond the federal requirement of 12-15.9 months. With just over 300 federally licensed facilities in the state, timely inspections are critical to protecting residents. To address this, KDADS eliminated 15 vacant positions and raised starting pay: up to $60,000 for multidisciplinary surveyors and $67,000 for RNs . The agency is also considering incentives to encourage more RNs to work as surveyors. Kansas has one of the highest rates of the most serious deficiencies, known as Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) deficiencies, in the nation , citations for situations where resident health and safety are at serious risk. The committee explored the possibility of privatizing the survey process. Resident Rights at Risk Testimony also revealed troubling practices in some nursing homes, including charging residents $200–$300 per month in “pharmacy provider” or “medication set-up” fees if they choose to use an outside pharmacy. This practice undermines residents’ right to choose their own providers and unfairly penalizes private-pay residents, already shouldering an average of $7,000–$8,000 per month in nursing home costs. Involuntary Discharges and the Ombudsman’s Recommendation The Long-Term Care Ombudsman urged lawmakers to expand discharge reporting requirements. As she noted: “Federal regulations require a notice to be sent to our office for a facility-initiated transfer (involuntary discharge) in federally licensed nursing homes, but that is not the case for state licensed homes, assisted livings, home pluses and residential health care facilities. With the help of our office, we can often help resolve the reason for the discharge notice to prevent a resident transfer or support the resident to ensure a transition occurs safely.” The committee heard concerns from representatives of the nursing home industry and decided to delay making a recommendation on this issue, noting that additional information is needed. KABC has advocated for not only strengthening the reporting requirements but also giving residents of assisted living facilities the same right to appeal an involuntary discharge that nursing home residents enjoy. Raising the Personal Needs Allowance The Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) for nursing home residents is a monthly stipend that Medicaid recipients can use for personal expenses. In Kansas, the PNA is just $62 per month. Many residents express concern that this amount is insufficient to cover basic personal expenses such as haircuts or undergarments. An immediate increase to the allowance is needed, along with an ongoing adjustment to keep pace with rising costs. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman recommended a PNA increase to the national average of $72 with an additional annual Cost of Living Adjustment. KABC’s Position KABC will continue to advocate for: • Strong oversight of nursing homes. • Resident rights protections, including freedom of choice in providers. • Central inclusion of residents and staff voices in all policy discussions. You can watch the hearing on the Kansas Legislature’s YouTube channel here . KABC will continue to monitor these conversations closely as the 2026 legislative session approaches.