What to Look For, What to Ask

Talk to as many people as you can–administrator, nurses, patients, visitors, volunteers, dietician, etc.

Individual Accommodations

Does each bedroom have:

• no more than four patients?
• a window?
• a door to the hallway?
• a bathroom?
• space to maneuver wheelchairs?

Does each bed have:

• view of a window?
• drapery for privacy?
• nurse call bell?
• drinking water within reach?
• reading light?
• a comfortable chair?

Does each patient have:

• drawers?
• closet space?
• compatible roommates?
• a telephone, if desired?
• fresh bed linens?

Does each bathroom have:

• toilet to accommodate wheelchair patients?
• sinks with running hot and cold water?
• grab bars near toilet, tub and shower?
• nurse call bell?

Communal Areas

Are halls:

• well-lighted?
• equipped with handrails?
• wide enough for two wheelchairs to pass?

Is there a lounge with:

• comfortable chairs and couches?
• a bulletin board for notices and menus, etc.?
• pleasant atmosphere?
• patients using it?

Does the home provide:

• activity rooms for recreation?
• tools and supplies necessary for activities (cards, yarn, easels, etc.)?
• private places for visits with family and friends?
• separate rooms for physical exams and therapy?

Is the home:

• clean-looking?
• fresh-smelling?
• free from loud traffic noises?
• air-conditioned?
• warm and draft-free in winter?

Is there access to:

• public telephone?
• mailbox?
• postage stamps?

Safety Measures

• Are there obvious hazards such as poor lighting, throw rugs, unsteady chairs or low objects that might be tripped over?
• Does the home have a fire safety inspection report less than one year old? (Ask to see it.)

Does the home:

• have clearly marked exits?
• keep all exits unobstructed?
• have closed doors to stairways?
• have emergency opening devices on exterior doors that are normally locked?
• post an emergency evacuation plan?
• regulate smoking
• practice fire drills with patients and staff?
• have sprinkler system?

Medical Care

• Does the home provide the services the patient's doctor has recommended?
• Is a physician on call for emergencies?
• Is a physician on the staff in addition to being on call for emergencies?
• Is the patient allowed to be visited and treated by his or her own doctor? ( If not, be sure there is a physician on the staff who is willing and able to take over care of the patient.)
• What hospital does the home have transfer arrangements with?
• Will the nearest hospital accept emergency patients quickly? Is emergency transportation to the hospital readily available?
• Is a licensed practical nurse (LPN) on duty day and night?
• Is the director of nursing services a registered nurse (RN)?
• Are nurses’ aides trained and evaluated closely?
• Is there a physical therapy program? Does a licensed physical therapist direct it?
• Is occupational therapy available?
• Will medical specialists - like podiatrists, optometrists, dentists - see residents at the home? What are their names and addresses?
• Is an accurate and complete medical record kept up to date on each patient? (Daily charts or files with daily entries should be at the nurses’ station, immediately available in case of medical emergencies.)
• Are patients consulted in matters concerning their health? Are tests and medications explained?
• May the patient fill prescriptions wherever he can find the lowest price?

Meals: Try to coincide your visits with serving of a meal.

• Is the dining room inviting and comfortable?
• Are the tables small enough to encourage conversation?
• Do patients look interested in the food and happy at mealtime? Do they seem to eat eagerly?
• Are foods that should be served hot still hot when the meal is served?
• Are cold foods kept cold?
• Does a professional dietician (with a bachelor’s degree in foods or nutrition or institutional management and a least two years’ experience) plan menus and supervise meal preparation?
• Is there enough food?
• Does the food served match the posted menu?
• Are meals served at normal times and with ample time for leisurely eating?
• Is there help at the table or in rooms for those who need assistance in eating?
• Are nutritious snacks available between meals?
• Do men and women eat together? ( This encourages everyone to be well groomed and sociable.)
• Are food preparation areas separate from garbage and dishwashing areas?
• Is the kitchen clean?
• Does the food seem to be handled carefully and refrigerated promptly?

Activities

Does the home provide:

• programmed yet flexible activities keyed to the desires and abilities of individual patients?
• holiday and birthday observances?
• trips to museums, parks, friends and family for those who are able?
• opportunities to attend outside religious activities if desired?
• optional religious services within the home?
• community volunteers to assist with activities in the home?
• good sources of reading materials such as traveling library or book carts?
• a barber and beautician?

Morale

Are residents:

• alert?
• active and involved unless very sick?
• allowed to decorate their own room: choose their own clothes: communicate freely with each other, staff, and visitors from the outside: engage in their own activities?
• restricted in any way merely for the convenience of the nurses?
• pleased with the visiting hours?

Do staff members seem:

• warm, pleasant, cheerful?
• interested and affectionate towards patients: courteous and respectful?
• encouraging?
• responsive to calls for assistance?

Does the administrator seem:

• courteous, helpful?
• available for answering questions, hearing complaints?

Are visitors and volunteers satisfied:

• with the facility?
• with the visiting hours?