There often comes a time when the loved one in your care no longer desires to or is capable of living independently. Should moving the person in with you—or hiring someone to move in with her—not be a realistic option, the alternatives are to help the person in your care move to an assisted-living community or, in more serious cases, a nursing home. In either case, there are things to look for and ask about before committing to a particular place.

Here are some examples:

What to Look For:

Marion Somers, PhD, in her book Elder Care Made Easier, suggests the following:

• Is security obvious and a priority?
• Are residents well dressed?
• Is the first-floor bathroom clean?
• How does the food look and taste?
• Is the physical plant in top condition?
• Is the staff attentive to resident needs?
• Are residents clean and well behaved?
• Do residents seem content?
• Are residents wandering the halls, appearing lost?
• Are wheelchairs clean and functional?
• Do the activities appear to be enjoyable and age-appropriate?
• Is there appropriate music playing on the loudspeaker?
• Is the communal TV tuned to elder-appropriate programming?
• Do staff members knock before entering a resident’s room?

The Assisted Living Federation of America offers the following checklist:

• As you arrive at the residence, do you like its location and outward appearance?
• As you enter the lobby and tour the residence, is the décor attractive and homelike?
• Do you receive a warm greeting from staff welcoming you to the residence?
• Does the administrator/staff call residents by name and interact warmly with them as you tour the residence?
• Do residents socialize with each other and appear happy and comfortable?
• Are you able to talk with residents about how they like the residence and staff?
• Do the residents seem to be appropriate housemates for your loved one?
• Are staff members appropriately dressed, personable and outgoing?
• Do staff members treat each other in a professional manner?
• Are staff members that you pass during your tour friendly toward you?
• Does the residence have good natural and artificial lighting?
• Are handrails available to aid in walking?
• Are cupboards and shelves easy to reach?
• Are floors of a non-skid material and carpets firm to ease walking?
• Is the residence clean, free of odors and appropriately heated/cooled?
• Does the residence have sprinklers and clearly marked exits?
• Is the floor plan easy to follow?
• Are elevators available for those unable to use stairs?

What to Ask:

• As regards financial and legal issues, as well as visitation, medical and other matters, the Assisted Living Federation of America suggests asking these questions, among others:
• Visits, Finances & Contracts
• Are visits with the resident welcome at any time?
• Can the residence provide a list of available services?
• Does the assisted-living residence provide housekeeping services for residents’ units?
• Is staff available to provide 24-hour assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs)?
• Is a contractual agreement available that discloses healthcare and supportive services, all fees, as well as admission and discharge provisions?
• What are the policies for refunds and transfers?
• Are additional services available if the resident’s needs change?
• Is there a procedure to pay for additional services like nursing care when the services are needed on a temporary basis?
• Are there different costs for various levels or categories of service?
• What are the billing, payment and credit policies?

Medical Care:

• Is there a written plan for the care of each resident?
• Does the residence have a process for assessing a potential resident’s need for services and are those needs addressed periodically? And does this process include the resident, his family and facility staff as well as the resident’s physician?
• Is self-administration of medication allowed?
• Is there a staff person to coordinate home healthcare visits from a nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, etc., if needed?
• Is staff available to assist residents who experience memory, orientation or judgment losses?
• Does the residence have a clearly stated procedure for responding to a resident’s medical emergency?
• Does a physician or nurse visit residents regularly to provide medical checkups?
• To what extent are medical services available, and how are these services provided?

Article provided by Caring Today magazine and www.caringtoday.com