Editorial Policy
This page describes how ElderCare Sift creates, reviews, and maintains the content on this website. Our goal is to provide accurate, useful, and transparent information to help Texas families navigate nursing home care decisions.
Content Sources and Methods
All facility data on ElderCare Sift is derived from publicly available CMS datasets. We do not fabricate, estimate, or alter ratings, inspection results, staffing numbers, or other quantitative data. Our process includes:
- Data Import: We download structured datasets from CMS.gov and import them into our directory.
- Automated Listing Generation: Facility listings are generated programmatically from CMS data fields, ensuring consistency and reducing human transcription errors.
- Editorial Content: Guide pages, city overview pages, and explanatory content are written by our editorial team based on publicly available information and general best practices.
Content Review Process
- Data Accuracy: We periodically re-import CMS data to reflect the latest available releases. We do not modify individual data points to favor or disfavor any facility.
- Editorial Accuracy: Our guide content is reviewed for factual accuracy and clarity. We cite CMS and other government sources where applicable.
- Corrections: When errors are identified — whether in data representation or editorial content — we correct them as promptly as possible.
Ratings and Facility Comparisons
ElderCare Sift presents CMS star ratings as published by CMS. We do not create our own ratings or scoring systems. When we highlight higher-rated or lower-rated facilities, we are reflecting CMS data, not making our own clinical or quality judgments.
Facility listings on our site are not ranked by payment, sponsorship, or affiliate relationships. Our default sorting uses CMS overall rating and alphabetical order.
Not Medical, Legal, or Financial Advice
ElderCare Sift provides general information to assist families in their research. Nothing on this website should be interpreted as:
- Medical advice or clinical recommendations
- Legal counsel regarding nursing home contracts, liability, or regulations
- Financial advice about paying for care, insurance eligibility, or benefit programs
- An endorsement or recommendation of any specific facility
Families should consult qualified professionals — physicians, elder law attorneys, financial advisors, and social workers — for decisions specific to their situation.
Advertising and Commercial Relationships
ElderCare Sift may display advertising or participate in affiliate programs in the future. If so, any commercial relationships will be clearly disclosed on our Affiliate Disclosure page. Commercial relationships do not influence facility data, ratings display, or listing order.
Content Updates
We strive to keep our content current, but nursing home data changes frequently. CMS updates its datasets on its own schedule, and there may be a lag between changes at a facility and when those changes appear on our site. Always verify information directly with facilities and through Medicare Care Compare.