Council on Aging Senior Guide 2013 - 51

o Is the facility quiet or noisy? o Is the temperature comfortable? o Does the building seem safe and free from dangerous hazards? Cluttered? o Are the residents’ rooms, hallways, and common areas well lighted? o Are floors of non-skid material and are carpets firm to ease walking and to prevent falls? o Is the dining room pleasant and inviting? o Are common areas, bedrooms and bathrooms accessible to wheelchairs and walkers? o Are bathrooms conveniently located? o How many residents share a bathroom? o Do all bathrooms, showers and bathtubs have handgrips or rails? o Are call bells accessible to residents? By bed? In bathrooms? o Is there privacy in residents’ rooms, especially in shared rooms? o Is there any place to have a private conversation? o Is there a bedside table, reading light, chest of drawers and at least one comfortable chair for each resident? o Is there a locked drawer to store valuables? If not, does facility make provisions to store valuables? o Is there adequate space for clothing and personal belongings in each room? o Does the facility have extra storage space for residents’ belongings? o Are there outside sitting and walking areas for residents? Are any covered? o Is there a fenced yard? Locked? o Are there enough fire and carbon monoxide detectors? o Is there a designated smoking area? Inside? Outside? o Is there a disaster plan posted? How often does the facility hold drills? PRACTICAL DIMENSIONS Accessibility o Is the facility close to family and friends who will be visiting most frequently? o Is the facility near public transportation? o Is the facility in an area where it would be safe to visit at night? o Is the facility convenient to the resident’s doctor? Home health agency? o Is the facility close to a hospital?
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COUNCIL ON AGING ORANGE COUNTY

o Are family and friends welcome at any time or are there strict visiting hours? Suitability o Does the facility have a good reputation in the community? o Will they give you a list of references? o Are residents and/or family members willing to talk with you about the facility? o How did the administrator and staff treat you when showing you around? o Did they answer all your questions to your satisfaction? o Did they show you around the entire facility? Were any areas or sections not shown to you? Why? o Do you feel that the administrator and staff are people you can work with and communicate with honestly? o How would you or your loved one fit in? Is this facility compatible with your lifestyle? o Can you imagine yourself or a loved one living here? o How did you feel when visiting the facility?

Affordability o Are Supplemental Security Income (SSI) residents accepted? o Do the estimated monthly costs (including extra charges) compare favorably with other facilities? o Are there any upfront fees, e.g., assessment, community fees? o What services are included in the basic rate? o What is the cost for extra services? Levels of care? How is the need for extra services or higher levels of care determined? o What are the costs for specialized services, e.g., dementia unit? o Do the estimated monthly costs (including extra charges) compare favorably with other facilities? o Are the costs and payment schedule clearly described in the admission agreement? o Are the total monthly charges affordable over time? o Will the facility give you a copy of the admission agreement to take home and study before making a final decision? A Complete Listing of Orange County’s Residential Care and Assisted Living Facilities can be found on the Council on Aging – Orange County website at www.coaoc. org. Click on the Senior Guide OC to view the listings.
Senior Guide OC 2013

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Council on Aging Senior Guide 2013

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Council on Aging Senior Guide 2013