Guidelines for Selecting a Long-Term Healthcare Facility
1. What to Do First!
Identify long-term healthcare facilities in your preferred geographical area. Note the types of services you require and the type of services each facility offers.
Ask around.
Ask your medical doctor, pastor, parish nurse, friends, and neighbors if they, or people they know, have firsthand knowledge about the facilities you’ve identified.
Contact long-term healthcare facilities.
- Phone the desired facilities to determine vacancies.
- Visit at least 3 or 4 long-term healthcare facilities before making a final decision.
- Visit each long-term healthcare facility more than once, if possible.
- Visit each facility at different times of the day and on different days of the week.
2. Checklist
Long-term healthcare facility:
Address:
Phone:
Observe Residents
Are residents clean, neat, and well groomed? | Yes | No |
Are residents up and out of bed? | Yes | No |
Are residents dressed in their own clothes? | Yes | No |
Are residents active and friendly? | Yes | No |
Are residents treated with dignity and respect? | Yes | No |
Do residents look and act happy? | Yes | No |
Comments:
Observe Building
Are the following rooms clean and in good repair:
Residents’ rooms? | Yes | No |
Bathrooms? | Yes | No |
Kitchen? | Yes | No |
Lounge/visitor’s area? | Yes | No |
Activity room? | Yes | No |
Are personal items (e.g., furniture, photos, radios, TVs, etc.) permitted in the rooms? | Yes | No |
How many persons live in one room? ________
Does this make a difference to you? Yes No
Comments:
Observe Staff
Is there an RN and/or LPN on duty? | Yes | No |
What is the staff-resident ratio? | ______ | |
Are staff members smiling and friendly? | Yes | No |
Are staff members neat and clean? | Yes | No |
Are staff members visible and available? | Yes | No |
Do staff members seem kind and considerate toward:
Residents? | Yes | No |
Visitors? | Yes | No |
Family members? | Yes | No |
Other staff members? | Yes | No |
Comments:
Listen
Do the staff speak courteously with the residents? | Yes | No |
Do the staff speak to the residents as adults? | Yes | No |
Do residents complain about the facility? | Yes | No |
Do the staff complain about working conditions? | Yes | No |
Comments:
Food
Do residents have a choice in the food served? | Yes | No |
Is the dining room convenient, cheerful, and comfortable? | Yes | No |
Is food appetizing, adequate, and attractively served? | Yes | No |
Are fresh fruits and vegetables served? | Yes | No |
Are staff and/or volunteers helping residents who need assistance? | Yes | No |
Are snacks served throughout the day and in the evening? | Yes | No |
Are meals available for guests? | Yes | No |
Comments:
Smell
Is there a strong body or urine odor throughout the building? | Yes | No |
Is there a strong deodorant smell? | Yes | No |
Comments:
Ask
Are religious services provided? | Yes | No |
Is there a residents’ council? | Yes | No |
Is there an activities program? | Yes | No |
Is recreational therapy provided? | Yes | No |
Is physical therapy provided? | Yes | No |
Is occupational therapy provided? | Yes | No |
Is speech therapy provided? | Yes | No |
Are the following professionals on staff:
Medical doctors? | Yes | No |
Dentist? | Yes | No |
Optometrist? | Yes | No |
Podiatrist? | Yes | No |
Chaplain? | Yes | No |
Social Worker? | Yes | No |
Are there other professionals on the staff? | Yes | No |
Comments:
Does this facility meet personal interest needs? | Yes | No |
Comments:
Money
Is a deposit required? | Yes | No |
Are provisions available to handle personal funds? | Yes | No |
What other costs are involved:
Drugs and medications? | Yes | No |
Beauty salon/barber? | Yes | No |
Activity fees? | Yes | No |
Laundry? | Yes | No |
Snacks? | Yes | No |
May a resident stay when his/her own funds have run out? | Yes | No |
Comments:
How often does the resident, family member, or guardian receive an itemized accounting of personal funds?
In the event of death, what happens to any unused funds?
3. Additional Comments:
Contact Us for Help
View staff by program area to ask for additional assistance.