When choosing a care facility, there are a number of factors to consider, including the staff, the facility, the programs and the type of treatment residents receive. Use this checklist when considering a facility:

 

Family Involvement

• Families are encouraged to participate in care planning
• Families are informed of changes in resident’s condition and care needs
• Families are encouraged to communicate with staff

 

Staffing

• Medical care is provided
• Personal care and assistance is provided
• Staff recognize persons with dementia as unique individuals, and care is personalized to meet specific needs, abilities and interests
• Staff is trained in dementia care
• Physicians and nurse practitioners on premises and registered nurse on site at all times
• Staff can handle challenging behaviors
• Ratio of residents to staff

 

Programs and Services

• Appropriate services and programming based on specific health and behavioral care needs are available
• Planned activities take place (ask to see activity schedule; note if the activity listed at the time of your visit is occurring)
• Activities are available on the weekends or during evenings
• Activities are designed to meet specific needs, interests and abilities
• Transportation is available for medical appointments and shopping for personal items
• Care planning sessions are held regularly
• Therapies available such as physical, occupational, speech and recreational
• Religious services and celebrations available to residents

 

Residents

• Personal care is done with respect and dignity; personal care times flexible, based on individual’s schedule
• Residents are comfortable, relaxed and involved in activities
• Residents are well-groomed, clean and dressed appropriately
• Rate of falls for residents
• Residents with psychiatric illness as their primary diagnosis on the same unit as residents with dementia

 

Environment

• Facility is free of unpleasant odors
• Indoor space allows for freedom of movement and promotes independence
• Indoor and outdoor areas are safe, secure and monitored
• The facility is easy to navigate
• There is a designated family visiting area
• Resident rooms are clean and spacious
• Residents are allowed to bring familiar items with them, such as photos, bedding a chair

 

Meals

• There are regular meal and snack times
• Food is appetizing (ask to see the weekly menu and come for a meal)
• The dining environment is pleasant
• Family and friends are able to join at mealtime
• Staff have a plan for monitoring adequate nutrition
• Staff are able to provide for any special dietary needs
• Staff provide appropriate assistance based on person’s abilities (for example, encouragement during meals or assisted feeding in advanced stages)
• There are no environmental distractions during meal time (noisy TV etc.)

 

Policies and Procedures

• Family and friends able to participate in care
• Visiting hours work for the family
• Discharge policy has been discussed (learn about any situation or condition that would lead to a discharge from the facility, such as change in behavior or financial circumstances)
• As residents needs change, availability of continuing care
• Aging in place policy where residents can remain in the facility, even in the same room, throughout the course of the disease
• Escort to the emergency room if a visit is required
• Available end-of-life, hospice care

 

 

(From: https://www.alz.org/help-support/caregiving/care-options/residential-care)