Assisted Living Magazine ranks nursing homes using a rigorous, data-driven scoring model built specifically for skilled nursing.
Because this care level is regulated, clinical outcomes and compliance carry significantly more weight than transparency or digital presence. Each community receives a ranking based on the factors below, weighted according to their importance in predicting resident safety, care quality, and long-term stability.
Update cadence: Reviewed quarterly, with prompt updates when new reviews, reports, or complaints are filed.
What We Prioritize MostThe largest portion of every community’s score comes from resident feedback and online reputation (40%), which reflects real experiences shared by families and caregivers.
An additional 45% of the score comes from a combination of transparency and operational quality signals, including:
Photos, videos, and virtual tours (visual transparency)
Website quality and digital trust indicators
Occupancy levels and number of units (community scale & stability)
These factors help us evaluate how well a community presents itself and how consistently it meets resident needs.
Balancing Additional FactorsThe final 15% of the score comes from supportive context data, including: walkability and local accessibility, estimated property value, and pricing information.
These elements provide helpful context but carry less weight because our rankings prioritize real-world satisfaction and care consistency first.
The result is a fair, clear, and data-driven ranking system for families researching senior living options.