How can I get independent evaluations of nursing homes?

Here's the government's ratings: http://www.medicare.gov/nursinghomecompare/search.html?AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

The internet is a good place to get personal reviews from people who have had experience with a particular facility. Yahooanswers and Yelp are two good websites to look for reviews. Google the name of the facility and look for these two sites. They usually have reviews.

from your State Health Department. some list the ratings on the web.

In Florida the State does so,