Frequently asked
Questions

 

When you are considering

Long-Term Care.

 

Even if everything you find in your search is presenting well, pay attention to any doubts
or uncertainty you are having.

 

There are a lot of excellent choices for long-term care, but maybe you just have not found the right one yet.

 

     •  Is this the right time?

 

     •   Can care be provided in a different setting?

 

Only you know your loved one. Be sure to consider all your options. You will be glad you did.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following are questions you want to ask
in your search for Long-Term care considerations:

      •   Does the staff to resident ratio
          seem stretched thin?

 

      •   How does the staff handle difficult behaviors
          such as bathing and wandering?

 

      •   How often are residents bathed?

 

      •   Is special assistance given to persons
          with feeding problems?

 

      •   Do caregivers speak English or the
          resident’s native language so that
          communication is effective?

 

      •   Are individual care plans maintained
          for each resident?

 

      •   How does a resident get medical attention?

 

      •   Is there a doctor available who keeps
          hours in the facility?

 

      •   For outside medical appointments,
          will staff make those arrangements?

 

      •   What other staff is available to residents?

 

      •   Are there specific visiting hours for
          families and visitors, and if so, what are they?

 

      •   Is the facility secured for wandering residents?

 

      •   How does the staff handle residents

          going into another resident’s room?

 

      •   Is there a support group for family members?

 

      •   What is the facility response when a
          resident is having difficulty adjusting?

 

      •   What do others say about this facility?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Questions to consider include:

 

 

      •   What kinds of structured activities are
          scheduled throughout the week?

 

      •   Are there any religious services in the facility?

 

      •   What about day trips?

 

      •   Are residents allowed to bring their own
          furniture and belongings?

 

      •   Is there a bus that takes residents to activities?

 

      •   Can the kitchen accommodate a special diet?

 

      •   Can a resident go into hospice in this facility?

 

      •   What reasons would a person have
          to move somewhere else?

 

      •   How often are disaster drills held?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Make observations when you visit a

site for Long-Term care. Take a Look Around:

 

      •   Is the staff pleasant?

 

      •   Is the atmosphere warm and friendly?

 

      •   Does the staff treat residents like adults?

 

      •   Are the residents clean and well groomed?

 

      •   Do residents seem unnecessarily medicated?

 

      •   Is the facility clean, well lit, at a
          comfortable temperature?

      •   Are the grounds well maintained, and
          do residents get to go outside?

 

      •   With regard to safety, are fire escapes
          and ramps wide enough for wheelchairs?

 

      •   Are there handrails in the hallways?

 

      •   Do the tubs, toilets and showers
          have grab bars?

 

      •   Are the floors clean and non-slippery?

 

      •   Ask yourself “Would I want to be here?”

 

 

 

 

 

 

Questions regarding administrative matters:

 

      •   What are the basic costs and what is covered?

 

      •   Are there additional charges for care
          and what are those?

 

      •   What is not covered under the basic charge?

 

      •   Is there any reason a resident would
          be discharged?

 

      •   Is the facility license and resident’s rights
          prominently displayed?

 

      •   Where are the resident’s rights posted,
          and what are they?

 

      •   How are medications obtained?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Check the Licensing Authority in Your Area
or State. Once you become interested in a
facility, be sure to check the licensing authority
in your area or state to determine the history
of the facility’s inspections.

 

      •   When was the last state or county
          inspection conducted?

 

      •   Were there any deficiencies or citations?
          What were they?

 

      •   Have there been any complaints from
          residents or families

 

      •   How have these been addressed?

 

 

If necessary, ask the facility to address any
concerns you have with the inspection findings.

 

Finally, Trust Your Instincts