What to Look for in a Residential Living Facility

Facilities

• As you arrive at the residence, do you like the location and outward appearance of the residence?
• Are the parking area and entry well lighted?
• Is there parking for visitors and families?
• Is there a charge for the parking?
• As you enter the lobby and tour the residence, is it  homelike and attractive?
• Are there smoke detectors?
• Is there a sprinkler system?
• Are there monthly fire drills?
• Are exits clearly marked and not obstructed?
• Is the floor plan easy to follow?
• Are doorways, hallways and rooms accommodating to wheel chairs and walkers?
• Are elevators available for those unable to use stairways?
• Are hand rails available to aid in walking?
• Are cupboards and shelves easy to reach?
• Are floors made of a non-skid material and are carpets firm to ease walking?
• Does the residence have good artificial and natural lighting?
• Is there a generator or backup source of power for an emergency?
• How far away are medical services, and what is the average arrival time for 911 emergency medical personnel (and which hospital will they go to)?
• How long has the facility been in business?
• Is it a  nonprofit or a for-profit institution?

Your Tour

• Did you and the potential resident both receive a warm greeting from staff welcoming you to the residence?
• Does the administrator/staff call residents by name and interact warmly with them as you tour the residence?
• Do residents socialize with each other and appear happy and comfortable?
• Are they properly groomed and dressed?
• Are they involved in activities?
• Are you able to talk with residents about how they like the residence and staff?
• Do the residents seem to be appropriate housemates for your loved one?
• Are staff appropriately dressed, personable and outgoing?
• Are the staff members that you pass during your tour friendly to you?
• Do staff  members appear to be attentive to residents' needs and desires?

Staff and Visitors

• What is the frequency of staff turnover?
• What is the staff-to-resident ratio during the day and at night?
• Is there always an R.N. on site?
• Are visits with the potential resident welcome at any time?
• Are children welcome to visit?

Activities and Daily Life

• How much input will the potential resident have in her daily life and care?
• Is there a monthly activity calendar and a weekly menu you can take?
• Is there evidence of an organized activities program, such as a posted daily schedule, events in progress, reading materials, visitors, etc.?
• Is there an exercise program three or more times per week?
• Do residents participate in the neighboring community?
• Are there planned outings?
• Do volunteers, including family members, come into the residence to help with or conduct programs?
• Does the residence require residents to undertake any chores or perform specific activities that benefit all residents?
• Are residents' pets allowed in the residence? Who is responsible for their care?
• Does the residence have its own pets?
• Is there room available for private gatherings and parties?
• Is there regularly scheduled transportation?
• Are guest accommodations available?
• Are barber and beauty services available?

Food Service

• Does the residence provide three nutritionally balanced meals a day, seven days a week?
• Are special diets accommodated?
• Are snacks available?
• Are common dining areas available?
• May residents eat meals in their units?
• May meals be provided at a time a resident would like, or are there set times for meals?

Features of Individual Units

• Are different sizes and types of units available?
• Are units for single and double occupancy available?
• Do residents have their own lockable doors?
• Is a 24-hour emergency response system accessible from the unit?
• Are bathrooms private with handicapped accommodations for people who use wheelchairs and walkers?
• Are residents able to bring their own furnishings and plants to their units?
• Do all units have a telephone and cable TV, and how is billing handled?
• Is a kitchen area/unit provided with a refrigerator, sink and cooking element?
• May residents keep food in their units?
• May residents smoke in their units? In public areas?

Services

• Is staff available to provide 24-hour assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) if needed? ADLs include:
  • Dressing
  • Eating
  • Mobility
  • Hygiene and grooming
  • Bathing, toileting and incontinence
  • Using the telephone
  • Shopping
  • Laundry
  • Housekeeping in unit
  • Transportation to doctor, hairdresser, activities, etc.

Medication / Health Care

• What is the residence's policy regarding storage of medication, assistance with medications, training and supervision of staff and record keeping?
• Is self-administration of medication allowed?
• Who coordinates home care visits from a nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, etc. if needed?
• Are staff available to assist residents who experience memory, orientation or judgment losses?
• Does a physician or nurse visit the resident regularly to provide medical checkups?
• What is the procedure for responding to a resident's medical emergency?
• Does the facility record living will documents?
• How is this information communicated to staff?

Needs Assessments, Contracts, Costs and Finances

• Is there a written plan for the care of each resident?
• What is the procedure for assessing a potential resident's need for services and are those needs reassessed periodically?
• Can a resident be discharged for refusing to comply with a care plan?
• When may a contract be terminated and what are refund policies?
• Are there any government, private or corporate programs available to help cover the cost of services to the resident?
• Is a contractual agreement available to include accommodations, personal care, health care and supportive services?
• Are additional services available if the resident's needs change?
• Are there different costs for various levels or categories of services?
• How does payment for additional services, such as temporary  nursing care, work?
• What are the billing, payment and credit policies?
• May a resident handle his or her own finances with staff assistance if able, or should a family member or outside party be designated to do so?
• What is the policy on insurance and personal property?
• Is staff available to meet scheduled and unscheduled needs?
• How often do rates increase?
• Is there an admission fee or a refundable deposit prior to moving in?
• Is there a program to help residents stay if their personal finances are exhausted?
• Is there a charge for holding a unit for a move in date next month, and can it be refunded if the move is cancelled?

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