BEFORE choosing a new home or respite care, we recomend the following:
Look- Do residents appear happy and well taken care of?
- Is the building clean and well maintained?
- Are wheelchairs and other equipment in clean working order?
- Are activity calendars posted with a variety and sufficient number of activities for residents to choose from each day?
- Are residents involved in activities or just sitting around bored with nothing to do?
- Does the food look appetizing and are residents eating most of their meal?
- Does the dining room and kitchen look clean and are cooks wearing hairnets?
- Do the residents look well fed?
- Are the rooms neatly arranged and individually decorated with personal possessions of residents?
- Do staff members interact cheerfully with residents and each other?
- Are resident call lights responded to quickly?
- Does the facility overuse physical restraints(devices that tie residents to chairs or beds)?
- Are staff members responsive to resident or family member needs and requests?
- Are staff members visible?
- Are residents treated with dignity and respect?
- Does the linen look clean and not old and thin?
- Is there an outdoors patio for resident and family use?
- Is residnet privacy protected during care and treatment (are room doors and privacy curtains used)?
- Do staff members stop and knock on room doors prior to entering resident rooms?
- Is the facility well lighted?
- Are call lights sounding for a long time before being answered?
- Are residents calling out for help?
- Is resident care and information being discussed within hearing range of others?
- Is there an excess amount of noise in the facility caused by staff, intercom, etc.?
- Do residents smell clean?
- Are there any strong odors in the facility?
- Are rooms well ventilated and kept at a comfortable temperature?
- Ask to eat a meal and evaluate the quality and taste of the food.
- What special services are available or provided by facility (transportation, beauty shop, store, etc.)?
- Is there an active resident council? When and how often do they meet?
- Is there an active family council? When and how often do they meet?
- Do you like your work?
- What do you like best about working here?
- What do you like least about working here?
- If you could improve or change one thing about this nursing home what would that be?
- When do you use restraints?
- How many residents do you directly care for?
- Do you ever work short of staff?
- Do you like to eat here?
- How often are residents checked on in their rooms?
- What happens when someone has a complaint or problem? Has is it handled?
- Are snacks available if wanted by residents?
- What is the best thing about this nursing home?
- What is the worst thing about this nursing home?
- Are you glad you choose this nursing home?
- Is the staff helpful and caring?
- Does the staff meet your needs?
- What happens when you voice a complaint or concern?
- Do you attend resident / family council meetings?
- Were you involved in choosing your own room and roommate?
- Is the food good and do you get enough to eat?
- Have you ever had missing possessions?
- Does each shift have enough help?
- Does the staff treat you with respect and dignity?
- How often do they check on you when you're in your room?
- Does the staff provide needed assistance with toileting, bathing, dressing, and eating?
- Do you attend and enjoy the activities provided in the nursing home?
- Are you invited to care plan meetings
- Does the staff close the door and pull the privacy curtains when they provide care?
