Iowa has become the first state to create a Web site that allows residents and families of residents to share their nursing home experiences.

The online survey, which was unveiled at the May 22 Governor’s Conference on Aging, gives past and present nursing home residents the opportunity to provide feedback about their nursing home stays. The purpose is to help future residents of a nursing home and their families or guardians make more enlightened decisions.

The Web site, www.IowaNursingHomeSurvey.com, was launched by Iowa Protection and Advocacy Services and funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Each nursing home in the state has its own page on the site where visitors can complete the survey or read completed surveys.