This qualitative study explored how nursing home (NH) residents (n = 337) define eight key care preferences drawn from the Preferences for Everyday Living Inventory-Nursing Home (PELI-NH), as well as importance ratings associated with each item. Responses indicated great diversity in how residents define their preferences. Overall, the most important preferences of the eight items were: choosing who is involved in care discussions, staff showing they care, and staff showing respect. Results demonstrate the need to have in-depth discussions and assessments with NH residents about their preferences to fully study and implement PCC practices.