On February 20, 2015, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced important changes to its Five Star Quality Rating System for nursing homes throughout the country. This system allows consumers to compare certain quality measures in nursing homes. The new ratings now consider the use of antipsychotic drugs, improved calculation for staffing levels, and an overall higher standard to achieve a high rating on the quality measure assessment. Unfortunately, even the highest rating is not a guarantee that loved ones are safe from abuse and neglect, but it is a tool to guide families in the nursing home selection process.
Download & view helpful PDF files from CMS:
