When choosing a nursing home, financial constraints may limit your choice considerably. Nevertheless make sure to set aside time to thoroughly research the options within your affordability range.

If you are fortunate enough to have a choice between public and private nursing-home care, consider which type of facility is best suited to your needs. Public institutions, which range from continuing care units to geriatric hospitals and community nursing units, tend to have better staff-to-resident ratios.

On the other hand, some people prefer the idea of private nursing homes as many of these have been developed recently and therefore the buildings can sometimes be more modern.

Also under current legislation, the HSE only inspects private registered nursing homes (although the inspection system is due to change next year).

The Irish Nursing Homes Organisation (INHO) recommends visiting and comparing several nursing homes in your area. Location should be a key consideration - is it easy for friends and family to visit? Also, some nursing homes won't take patients with certain conditions, so this may narrow your choice.

If you are researching homes on behalf of a loved one, keep their preferences and needs in mind. Also check whether the nursing homes are registered with the HSE, which means that they will be subject to inspection.

Eamon Timmins of Age Action advises people to look at the inspection reports posted on the HSE website, www.hse.ie. Some of the reports make for grim reading but it's best to have as much information as possible about your options. Don't just depend on the reports though, Timmins says.

"Go in and talk to the residents," he says. "Do the residents seem happy and well cared for?"

Once you find a nursing home that ticks a lot of boxes, ask to see a contract of care which should set out the terms of care and welfare. Check the fee levels, the services and type of room to be provided.

Bear in mind that the nursing home's rates will increase regularly, in some cases twice a year - can you afford this?

Make sure to check what extra services are charged separately on top of the basic weekly rate. Also find out if special medical needs are catered for.

If standards aren't up to scratch when you move to the nursing home, or you are encountering problems, Timmons advises going straight to management.

If you get no satisfaction there, call the HSE complaint line at 1850 24 1850.