Questions to Ask During Nursing Home Tours

Trusted Georgia Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse Attorneys Guiding Families Through Important Decisions

Suthers & Harper has been representing families across Georgia and South Carolina for more than 25 years in serious nursing home abuse and neglect cases. Choosing a nursing home is one of the most important decisions you will ever make for a loved one. When you tour a facility, asking the right questions can help you evaluate whether the home provides safe, respectful, and consistent care. A Georgia nursing home resource attorney can guide you on what to look for during these tours so that you feel confident in your decision.

What to Ask About Staffing Levels

Staffing is one of the most critical factors affecting the quality of care. During a tour, you should ask about staff-to-resident ratios on each shift, turnover rates among nurses and aides, and what training is required for new employees. Federal data shows that facilities with lower staffing levels receive significantly more deficiency citations during inspections.

Staffing concerns are often at the root of many common nursing home violations. Inadequate supervision can lead to falls, missed medications, and neglect of basic needs. Poor staffing also increases the risk of untreated bedsores and infections, similar to the harm families encounter in cases of improper wound care. If a facility struggles to maintain stable staffing, residents may face the same dangers as those seen in cases of understaffing in nursing homes.

Questions About Safety and Emergency Preparedness

You should also ask about safety procedures and emergency planning. Every facility must have evacuation plans, backup power systems, and staff trained to respond to fires or natural disasters. In Georgia, facilities are required to submit emergency preparedness plans to the Department of Community Health. Yet, state reports show that many individuals receive citations for failing to comply with these requirements.

Asking how a facility handled previous emergencies, such as hurricanes or severe storms, can provide insight into whether they are prepared to protect residents. Safety during emergencies is not optional; it is a legal responsibility. Families should also ask how staff are trained to follow individualized care plans, since emergencies often highlight whether those plans are being carried out as written.

What to Ask About Medical and Medication Practices

Medication management is another critical area to review. You should ask how the facility dispenses and monitors medications, whether licensed nurses administer every dose, and how physicians are involved in resident care. National studies show that up to 40 percent of nursing home residents take nine or more prescriptions daily, which increases the risk of dangerous interactions.

Improper medication practices can lead to overdoses or adverse reactions, both of which are preventable with careful oversight. Families who fail to ask these questions may later face situations similar to those described in cases involving medication overdoses and adverse reactions.

Questions About Resident Dignity and Quality of Life

A nursing home should offer more than just medical care; it should provide dignity and opportunities for engagement. Inquire about visitation policies, activity schedules, and the facility’s strategies for preventing social isolation. The National Institute of Mental Health estimates that depression affects up to 40 percent of nursing home residents, often due to loneliness and lack of stimulation.

Touring a facility gives you the chance to observe staff interactions with residents. Watch whether staff treat residents respectfully, speak in a calm tone, and respond promptly to needs. A positive environment often signals better overall care.

Observations That Matter During Tours

While asking questions is important, it is also essential to pay attention to what you observe during the visit. Are residents clean, well-groomed, and engaged in activities? Are the common areas clean and odor-free? Are call bells answered promptly?

The answers you receive matter, but what you observe often provides the clearest picture of how the facility operates on a day-to-day basis. If your observations do not align with the staff’s answers, that inconsistency should raise concerns.

Why These Questions Make a Difference

Asking direct questions during tours helps families separate facilities that meet basic standards from those that cut corners. Many nursing homes present polished appearances during scheduled visits, but meaningful questions reveal whether they truly deliver safe and consistent care.

The information you gather can also help if issues arise later. For example, if you are told that wound care is provided daily but later discover untreated bedsores, that discrepancy could support a legal claim. Understanding these issues in advance helps you protect your loved one from preventable harm.

Talk to a Georgia Nursing Home Resource Attorney Today

Families should never feel uncertain when choosing a nursing home for their loved ones. Asking the right questions during tours can prevent many of the dangers that lead to abuse or neglect. Suthers & Harper has decades of experience holding facilities accountable across Georgia and South Carolina. Our attorneys know how to evaluate staffing levels, care plans, and safety procedures, and we can guide you in making an informed choice. Call 800.320.2384 today to speak with a Georgia nursing home resource attorney about your family’s needs.