Council on Aging Senior Guide 2012 - 88

COUNCIL ON AGING ORANGE COUNTY

What to Look For in Residential Care
Continued from page 60

n Are religious services offered at the facility?

n Do residents appear well cared for? n Are residents up, clean, and dressed by 10 AM? n Are the residents well groomed, e.g., (shaved, clean clothes, nails trimmed and hair done)? n Is there a written plan of care for each resident? How often is the care plan reviewed and changed? By whom? n Does the facility offer programs and/or services which meet your particular care needs, e.g., dementia unit, etc.? n What is the system for distributionof medicaton? Who does it? What is their level of training? n Does the facility have access to doctors, hospitals, home health agencies and adult day health care services? n Does facility provide transportation to medical services? Charges? n Are there clear procedures for responding to medical emergencies?

Quality of Care and Service

n Are residents and family members involved in assessment and care planning? n Are residents and family members involved in roommate selection? n Do residents have an opportunity to provide input into menu and activity planning? n Are there procedures for responding to requests for information and complaints? n Is the Ombudsman Program’s poster and telephone number posted? n Does the facility have a residents’ council? Does the facility have a family council or support group?

Quality of Participation

n Does the food appear and smell appealing? Are fresh ingredients used? n Do residents seem to be enjoying the food? n Are residents receiving the assistance needed in eating? Are meals served at appropriate temperatures? n Do menus offer choice? How often are menus changed? (Ask to see a copy of the week’s menu.) n Can the facility meet special dietary needs? Ethnic preferences? n Are nutritious snacks available? n Is fresh drinking water available? n Can residents prepare meals in apartments? n Does the facility make provisions to serve residents in rooms? Costs?

Quality of Food

n Are residents interacting with staff and/or each other? n Are residents occupied in meaningful activities? n Does the facility have a planned activities program? Are activity calendars posted? On weekends? n Is there a designated staff who coordinates activities? Are activities individualized or only done in large groups? n Do volunteers and outside groups regularly visit the facility? n Are there planned trips outside the facility? n Is transportation provided for shopping and personal errands? Charges? n Are pets allowed? Does the facility have pets? n Are residents encouraged to bring in some of their own furnishings?
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Quality of Social Interaction

n How long has the key staff been working at the facility, i.e., administrator and assistant administrator, activities coordinator, cook, and nurse consultant? n Has there been a recent turnover in key staff? n How many direct care staff are there for each shift? n What is the staff to resident ratio? What is the ratio on the night shift? Weekends? n What is the turnover rate among direct care staff? n Does direct care staff understand and speak English? n What special training do staff receive in working with persons with dementia? n Do the administration and staff know the residents by name? n Does staff take time to talk with residents? n Do administration and staff interact with residents in a respectful way? n How long does it take for staff to respond to a resident’s request for help or to a call bell? n Does staff respect residents’ privacy by knocking on doors or announcing themselves before entering rooms? n Does the staff wear name badges?

Quality of Staff

n Is the overall décor pleasant and homelike? n Is the environment clean and odor free? n Is the facility quiet or noisy? n Is the temperature comfortable? n Does the building seem safe and free from dangerous hazards? Cluttered? n Are the residents’ rooms, hallways, and common areas well lighted? n Are floors of non-skid material and are carpets firm to ease walking and to prevent falls? n Is the dining room pleasant and inviting? n Are common areas, bedrooms and bathrooms accessible to wheelchairs and walkers?
Aging and Disability Resource Connection | 800-510-2020 | www.adrcoc.org

Quality of Environment

Council on Aging Senior Guide 2012

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Council on Aging Senior Guide 2012