You can use this list for basically any type of housing that you choose outside of the home. However, this will apply mainly to that of a nursing home.
Resident Rooms
Resident Lounging Areas
Is there a place where residents can relax and watch TV? like a living room?
Activity Areas
- What kind of equipment is laying around? Are there billiards tables? Are there card tables?
Activity Programs
Safety
- Is everything well lit, including stairwells and halls?
- Are their handrails alongside the walls?
- Are there fire extinguishers available?
- Are the floors clean and non-slippery?
- Is there an obvious odor? If you smell urine and body odors, either there is inadequate nursing care or poor housekeeping. Heavy air fresheners used to cover up the smells may be a substitute to proper care and maintenance.
Occupational and Physical Therapy Rooms
- Is there a variety of equipment available?
- Are the rooms being used?
- How many people staff that department?
Kitchen and Dining Areas
- Is there adequate ventilation?
- Are the refrigeration units big enough?
- Are sanitary practices good?
- Is the dining area pleasant, clean and comfortable?
- Are residents encouraged to eat there and is it large enough to hold most of the residents?
- Is there room for wheelchairs?
- Does everything seem to be in order during mealtime or is everything chaotic?
Food
- It’s good to visit during lunch, but any mealtime is good. How do the residents react when food is presented to them?
- Are they getting what is listed on the menu?
- What kinds of dishes and utensils are used?
- Does the food look good and appetizing, does it smell good?
- Do the residents seem to like the food?
- What happens if a resident is sick and are unable to eat in the dining hall, is food brought to them in their rooms?
- How often are meals prepared? Are there alternatives?
- Who plans the meals? If the facility doesn’t have a full or part-time dietician, there should be consultations with the residents. Some considerations should be made for ethnic foods unless the resident is prescribed a special diet by their doctor. **California Law requires that no more than 14 hours elapse between the evening meal and breakfast and that bedtime snacks are offered to all residents.
Baths and Showers
- Where are the bathrooms at? Are they conveniently located throughout the facility?What about the resident’s room?
- How many patients share a bathroom? Is there a private bath available?
- Is there a call button or rope located near the toilet?
- Check on the showering schedule
Other Services
- Is there a social worker on staff? /li>
- What kind of transportation is available for trips to the doctor, store, community functions, etc.?
- Are there dental services available? or other medical services?
- Are there laundry services?
- Are there personal care services such as: barber, nails, hair dressing? When? and How much?
- Are there religious services available?
All of these questions serve as a guide. It all boils down to how you feel about the place. No question is a dumb one, and you should ask as many you feel like. If the staff and facility are honest and genuine, they should have no problems repeating themselves or listening to your concerns. It doesn’t matter how reputable the establishment is, only how you feel inside. Only you know your parents best and know what’s good for them.
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