| Let's suppose you have properly done all of your | | | | posted written description of resident rights and |
| long-term care financing and planning. You have | | | | responsibilities?o Does the facility have a resident |
| either purchased long-term care insurance or have | | | | council? (Review Council Minutes)o Are Hotline and |
| a bundle of money readily accessible to pay for | | | | area nursing home ombudsman telephone |
| your long-term care needs. There won't be the | | | | numbers posted?o Does the social worker appear |
| stress and strain of trying to liquidate property or | | | | to be a resident/family advocate? |
| stocks at a time where you may incur losses or | | | | Activities and Eventso Are residents involved in |
| pay a hefty tax bill. | | | | activities sponsored by the facility?o Are |
| With that said, it is now time to look for a | | | | volunteers involved in facility activities?o Is there a |
| long-term care facility. In order to help make an | | | | private place for residents to meet with family |
| educated decision of which facility is best, here is | | | | and friends?o Are there wide ranges of activities |
| checklist of questions you should ask yourself | | | | that interest residents?o Can residents choose to |
| when visiting the facilities. The checklist is broken | | | | participate or not participate in facility activities? |
| down into different areas of importance regarding | | | | Resident Roomso Are resident bedrooms clean |
| the facility and its amenities. | | | | and pleasant?o Can residents bring personal items |
| Costs and Payment Sourceso Is the facility | | | | from home (i.e. - a rocking chair, pictures, |
| Medicare certified?o Is the facility Medicaid | | | | comforter, etc.)o Is there a policy for changing |
| certified?o If Medicaid is going to be a possible | | | | rooms?o Will the bed be held if a short hospital |
| source of payment, do you understand how to | | | | stay is needed or required?o Is there a charge |
| qualify and apply for Medicaid benefits?o If you | | | | for holding the bed?o Can the resident wear his |
| don't understand, did you ask the Administrator?o | | | | her own clothes?o Does the facility provide |
| Does the facility accept private insurance?o Are | | | | laundry services?o Can the family choose to do |
| you aware of what is included in cost of care, | | | | its family member's laundry?o If the facility |
| room and board?o Is there a list of separate | | | | provides laundry services, are the resident's |
| charges? | | | | clothes marked so clothes are not lost or |
| Building and Groundso Is the facility wheelchair | | | | misplaced?o Are rooms well ventilated and kept |
| accessible?o Are there grab bars in toilet and | | | | at a comfortable temperature?o Are toilet and |
| bathing facilities?o Are there handrails on both | | | | bathing facilities accessible? |
| sides of the hallway?o Is the hallway wide enough | | | | Meals and Nutritiono Does the food look and smell |
| for two wheelchairs to pass at the same time?o | | | | appetizing?o Does it taste good?o Is assistance |
| Is there a fire safety system and automatic | | | | provided in eating, if needed?o Do meals served |
| emergency lighting?o Are there portable fire | | | | match the menu planned for the day?o Are there |
| extinguishers?o Are exit doors unobstructed and | | | | meal substitutes offered to meet the residents' |
| unlocked from inside and easily accessible?o Are | | | | preferences?o Are residents interacting with one |
| emergency evacuation plans posted in prominent | | | | another at the dinner table?o Is a choice of |
| locations?o Is there a fire station available to | | | | snacks available? |
| service this facility?o Is the facility as clean as you | | | | Inspection Reportso Is the facility licensed by the |
| set your personal standards?o Is the facility | | | | Department of Public Health?o Did you notice any |
| reasonably free of unpleasant odors?o Is the | | | | pattern in the Department of Public Health |
| facility well lighted?o Is the facility convenient for | | | | inspection report to suggest concern in |
| frequent visits from family and friends?o Is the | | | | caregiving?o Does the State report show any |
| building licensed for the level of care being given?o | | | | patterns regarding concerns in staffing?o Does |
| Is there a wanderer monitoring system? | | | | the State report show any patterns regarding |
| Staff's Attitude and Staff Sizeo Is there quality | | | | concerns in ground maintenance? |
| resident and staff activity in the facility?o Is staff | | | | Health and Happiness Checko Are residents and |
| courteous to residents and visitors?o Does the | | | | families involved in developing their own care |
| staff respond quickly to calls for assistance from | | | | plans?o Does the facility provide services for |
| residents?o Are residents well groomed? Do they | | | | terminally ill?o Are residents able to use their own |
| appear to be happy?o Does the staff knock | | | | physician?o Is there a resident assessment or |
| before entering a room?o Is there a Registered | | | | care plan designed to meet residents' needs?o |
| Nurse on duty during the day and a Licensed | | | | Are regularly scheduled care plan meetings being |
| Practical nurse on duty 24 hours a day?o Does | | | | held that actively involve the resident (if able) and |
| the staff know residents by name?o Does the | | | | family member or guardian? |
| Administrator have a current license?o Does it | | | | If you haven't already purchased a long-term care |
| seem that the CNAs are familiar with the needs | | | | insurance policy, seek the counsel of a specialist |
| of the residents they care for? | | | | trained in long-term care financing and planning |
| Tell - Tale Signso Do residents look to be | | | | (LTCP, CLTC). You will receive a free, no |
| functioning independently (or with some staff | | | | obligation quote with the costs and benefits |
| assistance as needed)?o Does the facility have a | | | | appropriate fro you and your family. |