• Do you like the facility's location and outward appearance?
• Is the facility convenient for frequent visits by family and friends?
• Is the facility near a shopping and entertainment complex?
• Can the resident access a medical complex easily?
• Is public transportation available/accessible?
• Are you welcomed with a warm greeting from the staff?
• Does the staff address residents by their names and interact with them during your tour?
• Do you notice the residents socializing with each other and do they appear content?
• Can you talk with residents about how they like living there and about the staff?
• Is the staff appropriately dressed, friendly and outgoing?
• Do the staff members treat each other in a professional manner?
• Are visits with the residents encouraged and welcome at any time?
• What percentage of the apartments has been rented and is occupied?
• Is there a waiting list? If so, how long do they estimate it will take to be admitted?
  

- Living Area and Accommodations

• Is the floor plan well designed and easy to follow?
• Are doorways, hallways and rooms accommodating to wheelchairs and walkers?
• Are elevators available for those unable to use stairways and handrails to aid in walking?
• Are floors of a non-skid material and carpets conducive for safe walking?
• Does the residence have good lighting, sprinklers and clearly marked exits?
• Is the residence clean, free of odors and appropriately heated/cooled?
• What is the facility's means of security if a resident wanders?
• Are the common areas in general attractive, comfortable and clean?
• Is there an outside courtyard or patio for residents and visitors, can they garden?
• Does the residence provide ample security and is there an emergency evacuation plan?
• Are there different sizes and types of units available with optional floor plans?
• Are single units available and/or double occupancy units for sharing with another person?
• Does residence have furnished/unfurnished rooms? What is provided or what can they bring?
• May they decorate their own rooms? Is there adequate storage space?
• Is a 24-hour emergency response system accessible from the unit with own lockable door?
• Are bathrooms private with handicapped accommodations for wheelchairs and walkers?
• Do all units have a telephone and cable TV and how is billing handled?
• Does kitchen unit have refrigerator/sink/cooking element and can food be kept in their units?
• May residents smoke in their units or are there designated public areas?

- Moving In, Contracts, and Finances

• What's involved with the moving in/out process? How is the initial needs assessment done?
• Does assessment process include the resident, family, facility staff, along with the physician?
• Is there a written plan for the care of each resident and is there an ongoing process for assessing a resident's need for services and how often are those needs evaluated?
• Is the facility affiliated with a hospital or with a nursing home?
• Will your room be held for you should you require a hospital/ nursing home stay and are there charges for your room while away?
• Is there a written statement available of the resident rights and responsibilities?
• Is a contractual agreement available that clearly discloses healthcare, accommodations, personal care and supportive services, all fees, and admission and discharge provisions?
• How much is the monthly fee? How often can it be increased and for what reasons? Is there a limit on the amount of increase per year? What is the history on monthly fee increases?
• What are the specific costs for various levels or categories of services?
• What additional services and staff are available if the resident's needs change?
• Is there a procedure to pay for additional services such as skilled nursing care and physical therapy when the services are needed on a temporary basis?
• When may a contract be terminated and what are the policies for refunds and transfers? Is there an appeals process for dissatisfied residents?
• What happens if funds are depleted and full payments can no longer be made?
• Is there any government, private or corporate programs available to help cover the costs?
• Find out what the payment schedule is and if residents own or rent their unit?
• Are residents required to purchase renters' insurance for personal property in their units?
• Do billing, payment and credit policies seem fair and reasonable? May resident handle his/her own finances with staff assistance if able? Must a family member/outside party be designated?

- Health/Personal Care/Services

• Can the facility provide a list of available services and are residents and families involved in developing the service agreement? Who provides these services/what are their qualifications?
• Is staff available to provide 24-hour assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) if needed? ADLs include dressing eating, mobility, hygiene, grooming (bathing, toileting, incontinence)?
• Does residence have programs for Alzheimer's, other dementias and other specialized areas?
• Is staff available to assist residents who experience memory, orientation, of judgment losses?
• How are medical emergencies handled? Does the residence have a clearly stated procedure for responding to medical emergencies? Is there an arrangement with a nearby hospital?
• Does staff supervise/assist a resident in taking medicine? May resident take own medications?
• Does the residence's pharmacy provide delivery, consultation and review of medicines?
• Does staff assist in making arrangements to have nursing and other medical care? Do a physician/nurse make regular checkups? Or to what extent is medical care available?
• Are physical, occupational, or speech therapy services available and is there a staff person to coordinate home care visits from a nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, etc?
• Are housekeeping, linen service and personal laundry included in the fees, or are they available at an additional charge? Are on-site laundry facilities available and convenient?
• Does the residence provide transportation to doctors' offices, the hairdresser, shopping and other activities desired by residents and can it be arranged on short notice?
• Are pharmacy, barber/beautician and/or physical therapy services offered onsite?

- Social and Recreational

• What kinds of group/individual recreational activities are offered and who schedules them?
• Is there an organized activities program with a posted daily schedule of events?
• Do volunteers and family members come into the residence to participate/conduct programs?
• Does the facility schedule trips or go to other events off premises?
• Do residents participate in activities outside of the residence in the neighboring community?
• Are the resident activity (social) areas appropriate and desirable to the prospective resident?
• Are there supplies for social activities/hobbies (games, cards, crafts, computers, gardening)?
• Are religious services held on the premises or arrangements made for nearby services?
• Are there fitness facilities, as well as regularly scheduled exercise classes?
• Does the residence create a sense of community by allowing residents to participate in certain activities or perform simple chores for the group as a whole?
• Are residents' pets allowed in the residence? Does facility have pets and who cares for them?

- Staff

• What are the residence's practices and philosophy regarding staffing?
• What are the hiring procedures and requirements for eligibility? Are criminal background checks, references, and certifications required?
• Is there a staff-training program in place and what does it entail?
• Is staff courteous to residents and to each other? Are requests for assistance timely?
• Is the administrator, or appropriate staff person generally available to answer questions or discuss problems and would you be comfortable dealing with them on a daily basis?
• Does the facility have a volunteer program or is it affiliated with any student clinical programs?

- Food

• Does the residence provide three nutritionally balanced meals a day, seven days a week, and how does the menu vary from meal to meal?
• What about special diets; does a qualified dietitian plan or approve menus? Are resident's weight routinely monitored?
• Are residents involved in menu planning and may they request special foods?
• Are common dining areas available and when can residents eat meals in their units?
• Does dining room environment encourage residents to relax, socialize, and enjoy their food?
• Are meals provided only at set times or is there some flexibility? Are snacks available?
• How many meals are included in the fee? If a resident becomes ill, is tray service available?
• Can residents have guests dine with them for an additional fee? Is there a private dining room for special events and occasions, if desired?

- Licensure and Certification

• If the state requires the residence to be licensed and/or certified, does it have a current license/certification and is it displayed?
• If the state requires the administrator to be licensed/certified, does she/he have a current license/certification?
• Is the facility a member of a trade or professional association?
• What reputation does the facility have in the community? How long has it been in business? Is it in good financial health? Does the facility follow generally accepted accounting procedures?
• If the facility is sponsored by a nonprofit organization and managed under contract with a commercial firm, what are the conditions of that contract?
• Is there a resident council or organization through which residents/family have a means of voicing their views on the management of the community?

Source: carepathways.com

Heritage Enterprises Inc.
115 W. Jefferson St., Suite 401
P.O. Box 3188 Bloomington IL 61702-3188
PH: (309) 828-4361 FAX: (309) 829-5477