Set these up now
- Durable power of attorney for finances and an advance health care directive.
- Permission for doctors to talk to you (a HIPAA release).
- A list of medications, doctors, and insurance cards, with copies.
- One or two local people who can check in in person.
Judging a care home you cannot visit
Look up the home's license and inspection reports on the state's Care Facility Search. Ask for a live video walkthrough at mealtime, not a staged tour. Ask how they will communicate with you, and how quickly. And ask someone you trust to visit unannounced.
When families cannot get here in time, we walk the home ourselves and send photos of common areas, with the home's permission, and an honest report, often the same day.
Stay connected after the move
Agree on a weekly update by phone or text. Know the name of the administrator and the caregivers on each shift. Keep the Long-Term Care Ombudsman's number, in case you ever need an advocate on site.
Reviewed October 2, 2026. General information, not medical or legal advice. Talk with your loved one's doctor about their health.