Improved Resource: Ohio Long-Term Care Quality Navigator (Formerly Ohio Nursing Home Navigator)
Making informed decisions when selecting a long-term care facility in Ohio has just become even easier! The Ohio Nursing Home Navigator tool has been expanded and renamed the Ohio Long-Term Care Quality Navigator, now including assisted living facilities and several new features to help Ohioans make well-informed choices about where is the best facility for their family member.
Announcing: Ohio Long-Term Care Quality Navigator
In 2023, the Ohio Governor’s Nursing Home Quality and Accountability Task Force found that 68% of Ohioans felt they lacked the necessary information to make decisions about long-term care for themselves or loved ones. In response, the state launched the Ohio Nursing Home Navigator tool to centralize and simplify access to this critical information. Now, in its newly enhanced version, the Ohio Long-Term Care Quality Navigator offers even more resources and details.
What is the Ohio Long-Term Care Quality Navigator?
The Ohio Long-Term Care Quality Navigator is a free, online tool, which can be used on your computer or phone, and is designed to help individuals and families find and compare long-term care facilities across Ohio. By providing easy access to essential information about nursing homes and, now, assisted living facilities, the Navigator simplifies the decision-making process. Users can explore facility quality ratings, resident satisfaction scores, services offered, and more, ensuring they have the insights needed to choose the best care setting for their loved ones.
EXPLORE THE OHIO LONG-TERM CARE QUALITY NAVIGATOR
What’s new in the Ohio Long-Term Care Quality Navigator?
- Assisted living facilities added. The Navigator now includes nearly 800 assisted living facilities in addition to the 930+ nursing homes already listed. This means users can compare over 1,700 long-term care options in one convenient place.
- Expanded facility information. More data than ever before is available for each facility, helping families make better decisions based on quality and care standards.
- New “Care Quiz” feature. A user-friendly tool that asks simple questions to help individuals determine whether they should consider a nursing home or an assisted living facility.
- Improved user experience. The updated Navigator is accessible on both mobile and desktop/tablet devices.
- Continued updates. The Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) will maintain and improve the Navigator over time, ensuring Ohioans always have access to the most current information.
Why is the inclusion of assisted living facilities significant?
Assisted living facilities receive less regulatory oversight than nursing homes and are typically not included in statewide comparison tools, making it difficult for families to find reliable, centralized information. By adding these facilities to the Navigator, Ohio is addressing this gap in long-term care transparency.
Assisted living facilities in Ohio supports persons with their daily activities like medication management, meal preparation, and personal care while allowing residents to maintain independence. However, without close regulation, quality and services can vary. This expansion allows families to compare assisted living facilities alongside nursing homes and make informed decisions based on real data.
By including assisted living facilities, Ohio is promoting accountability and empowering families with the information they need to make confident choices for long-term care.
What can you find on the Ohio Long-Term Care Quality Navigator?
This free, easy-to-use online tool allows users to search for and compare long-term care facilities across Ohio. The Navigator provides key details such as:
- Facility address and contact information
- Number of beds (for nursing homes)
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Five-Star Quality Rating
- Resident and family satisfaction survey scores
- Staffing data
- Special services offered, including religious affiliation, pet policies, smoking/alcohol allowances, and more
Users can instantly share facility contact details with family members and conduct side-by-side comparisons to weigh different options effectively.
Learn more about how to choose a nursing home in Ohio and get our free checklist: How to Choose a Nursing Home in Ohio: Free Checklist
Where does the data in the Navigator come from?
The information in the Navigator is pulled from multiple sources to give a well-rounded view of each facility:
- Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Data on CMS-certified nursing homes based on claims, inspections, and self-reported measures, such as overall CMS star ratings and health deficiencies.
- Ohio’s Long-Term Care Consumer Guide & Care Center Portal. Facilities self-report details like religious affiliation, pet policies, and special services. These details can be updated at any time via Ohio’s Care Center Portal.
- Resident Satisfaction Survey. Run by a third party, the survey gathers resident opinions on administration, activities, meals, and other aspects of their daily experience, forming an overall satisfaction score.
- Family Satisfaction Survey. Run by Scripps Gerontology Center at Miami University, this survey collects feedback from families about their loved ones’ care, contributing to a family satisfaction score.
What are some of the new features available on the Ohio Long-Term Care Navigator website?
In addition to the Navigator, the website includes helpful resources such as:
- Ohio’s Long-Term Care Consumer Guides on various long-term care options, including home- and community-based services and other specialized care settings.
- Explanations of quality ratings and care standards
- Assistance with navigating the long-term care system in Ohio
Navigating Long-Term Care Decisions in Ohio
Choosing a long-term care facility can be overwhelming, but tools like the Ohio Long-Term Care Quality Navigator make it easier to find the right fit. If you or a loved one has questions about selecting a facility—or if you have concerns about injuries or neglect in a nursing home or assisted living facility—please reach out to my office for a free consultation. With my extensive experience, I am here to help you navigate this important decision and ensure the best care possible for your loved ones.
