Posted by on Sep 4, 2013 in Articles |

Assisted Living Checklist

The best advice is to locate and visit assisted living communities before a crisis. Meeting the staff, residents and often family members is one of the best ways to learn about the community. Every assisted living community is unique, but there are common questions to ask yourself and the community before, during, and after a visit.

The checklist that follows will help you ask these questions and make an assessment for yourself and/or a loved one.

Environment

* As you arrive at the community, do you like its location and outward appearance?

* As you enter the lobby and tour the community, is the décor attractive and homelike?

* Do you receive a warm greeting from staff welcoming you to the community?

* Does the executive director call residents by name and interact warmly with them as you tour the community?

* Do residents socialize with each other and appear happy and comfortable?

* Are you able to talk with residents about how they like the community and staff?

* Do the residents seem to be appropriate housemates for you or your loved one?

* Are staff members appropriately dressed, personable, and outgoing?

* Do the staff members treat each other in a professional manner?

* Are the staff members that you pass during your tour friendly to you?

* Are visits with the resident welcome at any time?

Physical Features

* Is the community well-designed for your needs?

* Is the floor plan easy to follow?

* Are doorways, hallways, and rooms accommodat­ing to wheelchairs and walkers?

* Are elevators available for those unable to use stairways?

* Are handrails available to aid in walking?

* Are cupboards and shelves easy to reach?

* Are floors of a non-skid material and carpets firm to ease walking?

* Does the community have good natural and artificial lighting?

* Is the community clean, free of odors, and appropriately heated/cooled?

* Does the community have sprinklers, smoke detectors, and clearly marked exits?

Needs Assessments, Residency Agreements, Costs & Finances

* Is a consumer disclosure form available that dis­closes personal care and supportive services, all fees, as well as move-in and move-out provisions? What are the policies for refunds and transfers?

* Is a residency agreement available for review before move-in?

* Is there a written plan of care for each resident? How frequently is it reviewed and updated?

* Does the community have a process for assessing a resident’s need for services, and are those needs addressed periodically?

* Does this periodic assessment process include the resident, his or her family, and community staff, along with the resident’s physician?

* Are there any government, private, or corporate programs available to help cover the cost of ser­vices to the resident?

* Are additional services available if the resident’s needs change?

* Are there different costs for various levels or categories of personal care?

* Do billing, payment, and credit policies seem fair and reasonable?

* Are residents required to purchase renters’ insur­ance for personal property in their apartments?

* Is there a complaints process for dissatisfied residents?

* Are the resident bill of rights posted or available for review?

Medication & Health Care

* Does the community have specific policies regarding storage of medication, assistance with medications, training and supervision of staff, and record keeping?

* Is self-administration of medication allowed?

* Is there a staff person to coordinate home health-care visits from a nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, etc., if needed?

* Does the community have a clearly stated procedure for responding to a resident’s medical emergency?

* To what extent are ancillary services such as hospice or physical therapy available, and how are these services provided? Ask if there is an ad­ditional charge for any of these services.

Services & Amenities

* Can the community provide a list of care services available?

* Is there a nurse on staff?

* 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, and toileting.

* What are the training requirements for staff?

* Does the community provide housekeeping ser­vices in personal living spaces?

* Can residents arrange for transportation on fairly short notice?

* Are barber/beautician services offered on-site?

* Does the community provide scheduled transpor­tation to doctors’ offices, the hairdresser, shop­ping, and other activities desired by residents?

Individual Apartment Features

* Are different sizes and types of apartments available?

* Are apartments for single and double occupancy available?

* Do residents have their own lockable doors?

* Is a 24-hour emergency response system acces­sible from the apartment?

* Are bathrooms private and designed to accom­modate wheelchairs and walkers?

* Are residents able to bring their own furnishings for their apartment? What may they bring? What is provided?

* Do all apartments have a telephone, cable or satellite TV, and internet access? How is billing handled?

* Is a kitchen area provided with a refrigerator, sink, and cooking element?

* May residents keep food in their apartments?

* May residents smoke in their apartments? In public spaces?

* May residents decorate their own apartments?

Social & Recreational Activities

* Is there evidence of organized activities, such as a posted daily schedule, events in progress, reading materials, visitors, etc.?

* Do residents participate in activities outside of the community in the neighboring community?

* Does the community have its own pets?

* Are residents’ pets allowed in the community? Who is responsible for their care?

* Do volunteers, including family members, come into the community to help with or to conduct programs?

* Does the community create a sense of inclusion by encouraging residents to participate in activities?

Dining Services

* Do dining room menus vary from day to day and meal to meal?

* Does the community provide three nutritionally balanced meals a day, seven days a week?

* Are snacks available?

* May a resident request special foods, and can the community accommodate special dietary needs?

* Are common dining areas available?

* May residents eat meals in their apartment or suite?

* May meals be provided at a time a resident would like, or are there set times for meals?

Additional Questions

* Does the community conduct criminal back­ground checks on employees?

* Does the community train staff on elder abuse and neglect? Is there a policy for reporting sus­pected abuse?

* Does the community have a special wing or floor for residents with cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer’s disease? If so, is it secured?

* Does the community allow hospice to come in and care for residents?

* Does the community accept long-term care insurance?

* Does the community allow a loved one, such as a grandchild, to spend the night? Is there a charge?

* Does the community accept Medicaid?

* What are the most common reasons why a resident may be asked to move out of the community?

* Is the state inspection report available for review?

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