U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in healthcare decision support, today announced the 2027 Best Nursing Homes ratings. The new edition evaluates more than 14,600 U.S. nursing homes and recognizes nearly 1 in 5 (18%) as Best Nursing Homes in Short-Term Rehabilitation, Long-Term Care or both.

Skilled nursing facilities offer vital care for patients recovering from hospital stays as well as long-term residents, providing assistance with activities of daily living – such as physical rehabilitation, medication management and chronic disease support.

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Since 2009, U.S. News’ annual Best Nursing Homes analysis has served as an independent, data-driven guide for families navigating short-term rehabilitation or long-term care choices. The 2027 ratings rely on a comprehensive evaluation framework assessing 17 distinct quality measures across both Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care categories, capturing post-acute care quality, hospital readmission rates and other indicators of quality.

“Choosing a nursing home – whether for short-term rehabilitation following a surgery or illness like stroke, or for long-term residency – is one of the most crucial healthcare decisions a family can make,” said Jordan Derk, Ph.D., senior care researcher at U.S. News. “The Best Nursing Homes ratings are designed to equip families with transparent quality metrics so they can make confident, informed care decisions alongside their healthcare providers.”

Key Findings from the 2027 Best Nursing Homes Analysis, on average:

  • Fewer ER Visits in Short-Term Rehab: Patients at top-performing nursing homes experience 19% fewer emergency room visits than the national average.
  • Reduced Hospital Readmissions in Long-Term Care: Residents at Best Nursing Homes have 21% fewer hospital readmissions compared to other facilities.
  • Higher Total Staffing: U.S. News Best Nursing Homes provide 19% more total staffing per resident per day compared to the national average.
  • More Physical Therapy: Top-performing skilled nursing facilities offer two times as much physical therapy per resident per day as the national average.

Note: Averages are calculated by U.S. News from data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

The 11 best nursing homes in Arizona

These 11 nursing homes all earned “High Performing” ratings from U.S. News & World Report in their 2027 Best Nursing Homes ratings. They are listed in alphabetical order:

• Acacia Health Center – Phoenix, Phoenix
• Archie Hendricks Senior Skilled Nursing Facility, Sells
• Arizona State Veteran Home – Tucson, Tucson
• Caring House, Sacaton
• Friendship Village of Tempe, Tempe
• Montecito Post-Acute Care and Rehabilitation, Mesa
• North Mountain Medical and Rehabilitation Center, Phoenix
• Plaza Healthcare, Scottsdale
• Splendido at Rancho Vistoso, Tucson
• The Terraces of Phoenix, Phoenix
• Vi at Grayhawk – A Vi and Plaza Companies Community, Scottsdale

The following U.S. metropolitan areas, listed in alphabetical order, all have 10 or more Best Nursing Homes: