Rest Home Selection Checklist
This checklist can serve as a useful tool when investigating and evaluating rest home facilities. The checklist is divided into two sections: Quality Dimensions and Practical Dimensions.
Although the quality dimensions are crucial, they need to be balanced by practical considerations. Sometimes the best home might be a little further than you had hoped to drive. But if this facility provides the best possible care for your loved one, it will ences, some questions can be more important than others.
Keep in mind the following general tips:
- Start the process early, before there is a crisis.
- Involve the prospective resident as much as possible in the process, if this is possible and practical.
- Use the checklist to get an overall impression of the facility and its practices.
- Pay special attention to how residents are being treated by staff and the quality and responsiveness of the services.
- Don’t be sold only on the attractiveness of the facility. The care provided is the most vital element of the placement. Narrow the options down to two or three facilities.
- Visit each facility several times. Show up without notice. When you visit, walk through the entire facility and visit at different times of the day.
- Drop by unannounced and visit at night and/or on the weekend.
- Make sure you visit during a mealtime.
- Obtain a copy of the admission agreement. Read it carefully.
- Understand the services, costs and conditions for transfer. Always look for the availability of all-inclusive care. Knowing the monthly cost of care in advance allows for optimal financial planning.
- Before you make a final decision, check the latest annual survey report and any citations issued by the state licensing agency. Facilities should make these reports available to you upon request. Talk with current residents and, if possible, their family members.
How to Choose a Rest Home | Quality Dimensions
Quality of Care and Service
[ ] Do residents appear well cared for?
[ ] Are the residents well groomed, e.g., shaved, clean clothes, nails trimmed and hair done?
[ ] Is there a written plan of care for each resident? How often is the care plan reviewed and changed? By whom?
[ ] Does the facility offer programs and/or services that meet your particular care needs, e.g., dementia?
[ ] What is the system for distribution of medications? Does the reminding the resident to take his or her medications? Who actually dispenses meds? What is their level of training?
[ ] Are a medical director and/or physician(s) on premises?
[ ] Is a mental health director (physician) available?
[ ] Does the facility provide transportation to medical services? Does it charge for this kind of transportation?
[ ] Are there clear procedures for responding to medical emergencies?
How to Choose a Rest Home | Quality of Food
Quality of Food
[ ] Does the food look and smell appealing? Are fresh ingredients used?
[ ] Do residents seem to be enjoying the food?
[ ] Does the facility offer two main meals lunch and dinner or is dinner a smaller meal? Unfortunately, many facilities provide only sandwiches for dinner.
[ ] Are residents receiving needed dining assistance?
[ ] Are meals served at appropriate temperatures?
[ ] Do menus offer daily choices? How often are menus changed?
[ ] Can the facility meet special dietary needs and ethnic preferences?
[ ] Are nutritious snacks available?
[ ] Is fresh drinking water readily available? and provide recommendations?
[ ] Does the facility make provisions to serve residents in rooms when needed? Extra cost?
Next week we will continue our series on How to Choose a Rest Home starting with the checklist for Quality of Social Interaction
