Council on Aging Answers 2015 - 74

COUNCIL ON AGING - ORANGE COUNTY

ACTIVITIES
o Are activity calendars posted? If not, ask for a description of
the activity program. Meet the Activity Director if possible.

BATH AND SHOWER ROOMS

o Do volunteers visit the facility?

o Are bathrooms conveniently located?
o how many residents share a bathroom?
o Do bathrooms have handgrips or rails near all toilet and
bathing areas?
o Is there a call button near the toilet?
o Do residents have a choice between a shower or bath, how
frequent and during which shift?

o what arrangements are made for residents to participate in
religious services of their choice?

KITCHEN AND DINING AREAS

hOUSING

HALLWAYS, STAIRS AND LOUNGES
o Are halls free of obstacles and debris?
o Are stairways and exits clearly marked?
o Are there handrails in all corridors?
o Are fire extinguishers visible? Is there a disaster plan posted
and does the facility have drills?
o how many lounge areas are available for residents and
visitors? Are they clean and comfortably furnished? Is there sufficient room for visiting?

o Is there a Family Council? when does it meet and who are
the officers?

o Is the kitchen clean and well-organized?
o Is the food handled and stored in a safe and sanitary manner?
o Is the dining area pleasant, clean and comfortable?
o how many residents eat in the dining area? Is it large
enough to accommodate most of the residents? Are there shifts
for meals?
o Do chairs fit under the table so that residents are comfortably close to their food?

MENUS AND FOOD
Try to visit the facility during a meal. Observe the way the food
is served, how residents are assisted with eating and what their
reaction is to the food. You can probably buy a meal to sample
the food.
o A menu for the current and following week should be posted. If a menu is not posted, ask to see one. Is the food listed on
the menu actually being served?
o how often are meals repeated? Are alternatives available, as
required by law?
o Does the food appear and smell appetizing? Is it nutritious?
Are fresh foods used, or is it mostly canned or frozen? Do residents enjoy the food?
o Are dishes and silverware used, or are disposable plates and
utensils used?
o Are those residents who need assistance with eating and
who are being fed by nurse's aides finishing their meals and
eating at their own pace? Are assistive devices available to those
who may be able to feed themselves with a little help?
o Are meals served at appropriate temperatures?
o what provisions are made for patients who are unable to eat
in the dining room?
o who plans the meals? Is a professional dietician on staff?
how are special dietary needs met?

Answers Guide 2015

o Do the activities cover a broad range of interests?
o Are activities tailored to individual preferences?
o Does the facility have outside areas for resident use? Does
staff assist the residents in using these areas?
o what activities are available to residents confined to their
rooms?

o what is done for holidays and birthdays?
o Is there a resident council? when does it meet and what is its
function?

MISCELLANEOUS

o how often do residents' physicians visit the facility? It should
be at least once every 30 days.
o how long has the facility been operating under the present
management? Are there any plans to change in the near future?
o what hospital is used in emergencies?
o what is the billing procedure?
o who should be contacted when there is a problem?
o how does the facility notify the resident and family members of the time and place of the quarterly care planning meetings?
o Is the Ombudsman Program's poster and phone number
posted?
o Are the results from the last inspection by the Department
of Public health posted?
o Ask to review a copy of the admission agreement. Does the
facility demand a "responsible party" signature? what is their
"informed consent" policy?
o what is included in the basic costs and what is extra?
o If you are looking at an Alzheimer's Unit within a facility,
what makes it different from the rest of the facility (especially if
it costs more)?
o how is transportation provided for trips to hospitals, medical offices, or community functions? Is there a charge?
o how is personal laundry handled?
o Is there a system to protect wanderers? Is it operational? Ask
for a demonstration
For a checklist on selecting a Residential Care Facility for the
Elderly (RCFE), Assisted Living Facility or Nursing home admission agreements, visit: www.canhr.org

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Council on Aging Answers 2015

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