Compare-the-homes worksheet
Use this free printable worksheet to compare homes side by side, keep notes from each tour, and stay organized during a hard decision. It is meant to make the process simpler, calmer, and more clear.
What this worksheet is
This page offers a free downloadable PDF compare-the-homes worksheet for families looking at a small, licensed adult family home, adult foster care home, or board-and-care home.
It gives you one place to write down what you saw, what questions you asked, and how each home felt. That can help you compare options without trying to remember everything from each visit.
Download the worksheet to print it and take it with you on tours. You can also keep a digital copy if that is easier for your family.
What’s inside the PDF
The worksheet is built for real-life tours. It is simple, plain, and easy to fill out by hand.
It usually includes space for:
- Home name, phone number, and address
- State license or certification notes
- Room type and room-and-board estimate
- Care services offered or not offered
- Meals, bathing help, medication help, and daily routines
- Staff on site and who to call after hours
- Safety, cleanliness, and how the home feels
- Questions for the family to ask
- A final compare-and-decide page
It does not replace a tour. It just helps you remember what each home said and what you noticed.
How to use it during tours
Bring the worksheet to every visit. If possible, have one person write notes while another asks questions.
After each tour, fill it out right away. Small details can blur together later, especially if you are visiting several homes in one week.
For each home, ask the family to confirm the current state license or certification themselves. Rules and levels of care vary by state, so it is wise to check with the home's licensing agency before deciding.
How it can help with budgeting
The worksheet has space to note typical costs so you can compare homes more fairly. In many states, room and board is usually paid privately, while Medicaid waivers may help with the personal-care part for people who qualify. That varies by state, and it is not something HearthRow decides.
This tool is for general planning only. It is not financial advice, and it does not promise what any home will cost. Always confirm the current price directly with the home and ask your state's Medicaid office or waiver program for independent guidance.
How HearthRow fits in
HearthRow is a free matching and information service. We help you find licensed homes near you, but we are not a care home, a care provider, a medical team, or a government agency.
Some homes pay HearthRow a flat fee when we connect them with a family. It never changes what you pay, and you are never under any obligation.
If you want help starting your search, you can use get matched or read more family-friendly tips in our guides.
Download the free worksheet, bring it to tours, and use it to compare homes, costs, and notes in one simple place.