Use Care When Selecting a Nursing Home

Experts in long-term skilled nursing care say it's essential to trust your instincts when selecting a nursing home for a loved one.

Trust your eyes, ears and nose.

And if you need additional advice, several sources for help are available. Make sure to check the state's nursing home comparison guide at www.floridahealthfinder.gov. You can search individual nursing homes and review recent inspections.

Another useful Web site is www.medicare.gov. Click on Compare Nursing Home in Your Area.

Ask the Agency for Health Care Administration's Tampa Bay office, 727-552-1133, for lists of local nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.

Report suspected abuse at 800-962-2873.

For other complaints, call AHCA in Tampa or the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Council in Lakeland at 863-413-2764.

The Florida Health Care Association Web site, www.fhca.org, lists its members and has advice.

The phone number is 850-224-3907.