What to look for in an Assisted Living Facility

• As you arrive at the residence, do you like the location and outward appearance of the residence?

• As you enter the lobby and tour the residence, is the decor attractive and home-like?

• Did you and your 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 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?

• Are visits with the resident welcome at any time?

• Is the community well-designed for resident's needs?

• 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 doors of a non-skid material and carpets firm to ease walking?

• Does the residence have good natural and artificial lighting?

• Is the residence clean, free of odours and appropriately heated/cooled? Does the residence meet licensing requirements?

Needs assessments, contracts, costs & 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?

• Is a contractual agreement available to include accommodations, personal care, health care and supportive services?

• Are additional services available if the resident's needs changes?

• Are there different costs for various levels or categories of services?

• How do you pay for additional services such as nursing care when needed on a temporary basis'?

• What are the billing, payment and credit policies?

• May a resident handle their 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?

Medication/health care

• What is the residence 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?

Services

• Is staff available to provide 24-hour assistance with activities of daily living (ADL) if needed? ADLs include:

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 systems accessible from the unit?

• Are bathrooms private with handicapped accommodations to accommodate wheelchairs and walkers?

• Are residents able to bring- their own furnishings for their unit and what may they bring?

• 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 spaces?

Social and recreational activities

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

• Do residents participate in the neighbouring community?

• 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?

Food Service

• Does the residence provide three nutritionally balanced meals a day, seven days a week?

• Are snacks available?

• May a resident request special foods?

• 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?
  
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