How To Choose a Safe Nursing Home in Mississippi: Your Trusted Family Checklist

Choosing a nursing home is one of the biggest decisions a family can make for their loved one. At Williams Newman Williams, we understand it’s not just about finding a place with clean hallways and friendly staff; it’s about ensuring your loved one receives compassionate, attentive elder care in a safe and supportive environment. Unfortunately, not all facilities meet those expectations.

This guide will help you evaluate potential nursing homes in Mississippi with confidence, from using online tools to knowing what to look for when touring a nursing home in person.

Step 1: Understand the Type of Elder Care Needed

Before starting your search, identify what type of care your loved one requires now and what may be needed in the future. Do they need short-term rehabilitation? Memory care? Long-term, full-time assistance with daily tasks like eating and dressing?

This will help you narrow your choices to facilities equipped with the right staff, therapies and services.

Step 2: Research and Compare Facilities Online

Use Medicare’s Care Compare tool to evaluate nursing homes near you. The site allows you to compare facilities by:

Health and safety inspection results
Staffing levels
Quality of care
History of abuse citations or fines

Look for homes with high star ratings and low staff turnover. These are often indicators of better care and employee satisfaction.

Step 3: What To Look for When Touring a Nursing Home

An in-person visit is essential. Pay attention to:

Cleanliness, odors and overall condition of the facility
Whether staff members appear responsive and engaged with residents
How residents look: Are they clean, appropriately dressed and comfortable?
Dining facilities, food quality and menu flexibility
Access to outdoor spaces and common areas

Ask plenty of questions. Key topics include staff-to-resident ratios, training (especially for dementia care), how emergencies are handled and whether care plans are personalized. Don’t be afraid to take notes and schedule a second, unannounced visit.

Step 4: Know the Red Flags

While touring, watch for warning signs that could indicate neglect or poor management:

High turnover among nursing or administrative staff
Residents calling out without assistance
Overmedication or reliance on antipsychotic drugs
Dirty rooms, soiled linens or unpleasant odors
Unclear policies for reporting complaints or handling medical needs

If a facility has been designated as a Special Focus Facility by CMS, has unresolved violations or a history of complaints, consider removing it from your list.

Step 5: Ask the Right Questions

Here are a few critical questions to ask during or after your visit:

How often are care plans reviewed and updated?
Is a registered nurse on duty 24/7?
What is your protocol for fall prevention?
How do you accommodate residents’ daily preferences?
Do you have a memory care unit or dementia specialists?
What are your policies for complaints, and how are they handled?

The answers should be clear, consistent and reflect a commitment to safety and dignity.

Step 6: Advocate and Stay Involved

Once your loved one is placed in a nursing home, stay engaged:

Visit regularly and at different times of day.
Monitor for changes in mood, hygiene or behavior.
Build relationships with staff.
Keep detailed notes if concerns arise.

If complaints are ignored, or you believe your loved one is being mistreated, speak up immediately. You have legal rights and there are ways to take action.

Knowing the signs of nursing home abuse and neglect can protect your loved one. Learn more here.