Council on Aging Answers 2015 - 73

COUNCIL ON AGING - ORANGE COUNTY

Nursing Home
Evaluation Checklist
The following checklist will give you a general idea of the quality of care provided in a nursing home. Depending on a resident's
needs, preferences and payment source, questions will vary.
Ask to see the entire facility, not just the nicely decorated lobby and one wing or floor. Remember that appearances can be deceptive. Though environment is important, try to get a feel for the care provided and how the residents are treated by staff.

o Is staffing adequate? what is the staff to resident ratio? Are
call bells and resident requests responded to in a timely manner
(5 minutes or so)?
o Is staff courteous to residents? Do they treat residents with
dignity and respect? Is the staff's attitude condescending? Are
childish or otherwise inappropriate nicknames used when
speaking with residents? Does staff talk about residents as if
they were not present or as if they were children?
o Do the administrator/manager and director of nurses appear to know the residents?

hOUSING

STAFF

o Are residents seated in comfortable chairs? Are they restrained in their chairs or beds? Are they in chairs that have a
tray or "lap buddy" that restrains them?

RESIDENT ROOMS
o In which area of the facility would the resident's room be
located?
o how many residents share a room? Generally, rooms should
have no more than four beds, at least three feet apart, with privacy curtains around each bed.

o Is the administrator friendly and receptive to questions?

o Does each bedroom have a window?

o Is privacy respected (e.g., knocking on doors before entering rooms, keeping privacy curtains drawn while care is being
given)?

o Is there a bedside stand, reading light, chest of drawers, and
at least one comfortable chair for each resident? Is there adequate storage space and is it separate from other roommates?

o Does staff wear name-tags?

o Are the beds easy to reach? Is there room to maneuver a
wheelchair or Geri chair easily?

o Are there therapists on staff or does the facility contract out
for therapy?
o Is there a licensed social worker on staff? Is it a full time position?
o Does the facility have permanent full time nurses and certified nurse assistants (CNA's) or are registry nurses and aides
used?
o Are the staff visible and actively assisting residents?
o In addition to English, what languages does the staff speak?
o what is the facility's communication strategy when a resident's first language is not English?
o Does the facility conduct background checks before hiring
staff?

RESIDENT APPEARANCE
o Are residents up and dressed for breakfast? Does the staff
get them up hours before breakfast (too early) or just before
lunch (too late)?
o Are the residents well-groomed (shaved, clothes clean, hair
combed, nails trimmed and clean)?
o Do residents appear alert, content and occupied? Do they
appear lethargic, listless or over medicated?

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o Are call buttons accessible to residents?
o Is there fresh drinking water at the bedside?
o Are residents allowed and encouraged to bring any of their
own belongings or furniture? have residents personalized their
rooms?

FACILITY ENVIRONMENT
o Is there an obvious odor in the facility? Strong urine and
body odors may indicate poor nursing care or poor housekeeping. heavy "air freshener", deodorants, and other temporary
chemical cover-ups may be substitutes for conscientious care
and maintenance.
o Is the facility maintained at a comfortable temperature? Do
the rooms have heating, air conditioning, and individual thermostats?
o Is the facility clean, well-lit and free of hazards? Do you see
soiled linen or is it properly disposed of? Is there adequate
linen?
o Is furniture sturdy and comfortable?
o Are floors clean and not slippery?

Answers Guide 2015

http://www.coaoc.org

Council on Aging Answers 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Council on Aging Answers 2015