Friendly Isn't Enough

Look beyond the welcome tour. Choose with greater confidence.

A welcoming lobby and a friendly tour can ease your worries—but they cannot tell you everything about the care your loved one will receive. Friendly Isn’t Enough offers a clear, compassionate way to look beyond first impressions and make a more informed nursing home decision, whether you are planning ahead or facing an urgent discharge.

Quinn O. Yarrow guides families through the evidence and the questions that matter. Learn how to use Medicare Care Compare, interpret inspection findings and staffing information, and understand what ratings can—and cannot—show. Prepare for facility visits with practical questions for administrators, nurses, and caregivers, and learn how to investigate concerns without jumping to conclusions. The guide also explains differences among nursing homes and other care settings, payment options, resident rights, and contract issues that may need professional advice.

Turn research into a practical plan:

Choose with greater confidence while protecting your loved one’s dignity, safety, and quality of life.