Choosing a nursing home can be a difficult time in your life. Not only are you putting a loved one in a home, but you’re also searching for the right home, one that provides complete love, care and medical attention.

Here is a rundown of helpful hints when choosing the right retirement home.

1. Know your rights. Read the fine print of the contract and be aware of the home’s policies and procedures.
2. Do your research. Check out consumer reports, the news and other free investigative sites to learn about any charges or filings placed against a particular home. No news is good news.
3. Ask for state survey reports to know the results of when unannounced visitors visited the facility and talked with residents and staff about sanitary conditions, care issues and more.
4. Make unannounced visits yourself more than once at different days and times to see how the place is run. For example, are many residents eating in their rooms or in the main dining hall?
5. Check out other means outside of the medical sector, such as public bathrooms, food options, exercise and rehabilitation sessions, visiting hours, space of rooms, etc.
6. Get educated on the home’s payment policy. Does the home accept Medicaid? Are payment plans an option should you experience a life-altering situation, such as a job loss?

Make the most out of your loved one’s retirement home by taking the time to understand all facets of the home.