Choosing a long-term health care or assisted living facility
that is right for you and your family is a big decision and a
big commitment; comparable to buying a house. Though the
conclusion to move to or help your loved one transition to a
Lifecare community is often decided far in advance, making the
actual choice is often a bigger decision than anyone bargains
for.
The ultimate goal is to be comfortable, safe, happy, and secure,
and because it is difficult to determine which long-term health
care facilities have the residents’ best interests at heart, it
is often difficult to distinguish a really great home from one
that is just “good.”
To aid in the decision-making, here are some questions to help
identify facilities truly dedicated to health care support and
service excellence and to creating a warm, inviting community
for you or your loved one:
Facility and Staff Credentials oFind out about the licensing
requirements in your state for various types of facilities and
then make sure the facilities on your list are licensed and that
their licenses are visible. oAsk about the credentials of the
staff. Does the nursing facility offer training? Are there staff
dedicated to the different types of dementia? How many licensed
RNs are on staff at all times?
Care and Service oRead the Resident's Bill of Rights. Copies
should be made available for you. If you choose a facility, keep
a copy of the Bill of Rights on hand. oSome life care centers
have developed a "neighborhood" concept so residents can live
and socialize with people who have similar needs and
experiences. Are residents with dementia grouped together in one
wing or are they spread out? oIs there a Social Services Worker
on staff in the facility? These workers help to make the
transition easier for your loved one, as well as help to make
their stay comfortable. oWhat do the meals consist of? Can a
special diet be implemented? What steps are taken to ensure the
proper foods are given to the right residents? oLook at the
activity noise level and cleanliness of the facility. Is it
clean? Is there a healthy amount of background noise? Safety and
Accessibility oAre safety and accessibility top priorities for
the facility? oWhat precautionary steps are in place for
emergencies? oAre there smoke detectors, how many, are they all
working? oHow often do they have the fire extinguishers checked
and if they know where they are located? oAre safety procedures
adequate? Are stairways and exits clearly marked? oIs it easy to
move from one place to another? oAre halls and toilets wide
enough for wheelchairs? oAre there any floor hazards like being
too slippery or having a thick carpet? oAre the doors operated
electronically? oIs there an emphasis on allowing residents to
be as independent as they can be? oAre there bathing devices
available? Are handle rails provided in the bathing area? oAre
there multiple dining rooms and amenities to keep walking
distances short?
Amenities and Comfort oDoes the facility have a “community”
feel? oAre the residents happy, alert, groomed, clean, well-fed,
and healthy? Are the interactions between co-workers and between
workers and residents caring, friendly, and supportive? Does the
staff know the residents by name? oWhat services does the
facility provide? oA facility dedicated to resident comfort and
service should provide laundry facilities on each floor, flat
linen service, monthly housekeeping, maintenance and scheduled
transportation. oOther amenities may include a hair salon, bank,
and gift shop. oEach room should have individually controlled
heat and air conditioning with an emergency response system.
Recreation oWhat types of activities are provided? oHow are they
supervised? How often are they held? oAre there social,
recreational, spiritual, fitness and wellness programs
available? oWhat kinds of exercise regimes are included? oDo
they provide exercise equipment that is appropriate and
easy-to-use? oIs there a fitness instructor on staff? oWhat is
offered for social and solo activities? oIs there a computer
room, meditation room, library, craft room, game room or wood
shop? oAre there Chaplain Services including visitation, Bible
study and worship? oAre there nature areas, gardens and
footpaths? Health Care Services oAre different levels of care,
from assisted living to health care to short term rehabilitation
programs, available? Is there a focus on needs assessment to
determine the appropriate level of care for each resident? oIs
there sufficient nursing and personal care, including medication
management?
oAre in-home health services available? oAre nurses always close
at hand? oIf the facility offers short term rehabilitation
programs, is there a private wing with private room and dining
area. oDoes the facility offer care for residents with dementia?
What kinds of programs are available for these residents? oAre
personal care plans developed by an inter-disciplinary team?
Financial oIs there a guaranteed refundable entrance fee? oDo
the assisted living and health care services come at no
additional monthly fee? oTo what degree does the life care
center manage the residents’ finances? oAre Medicare and
Medicaid plans accepted? Dedication to Improvements oAre there
programs in place to study processes, re-evaluate services and
ask residents and families what might be done better? oHow often
are the findings from these programs implemented into changes
for the staff, residents, and administration? oIs the center
dedicated to the continuous training of its staff? How is
training implemented? And how often? oDoes the dedication to
improvements carry over into every facet of the facility? For
instance, at Keswick Pines, a life care center in Ocean County,
New Jersey, each of the following has been implemented: oThe
nursing staff is exploring best practices in the field that
might be good to introduce to the community oHealth Care Aides
are creating a personal care manual called “Gentle Touch” that
includes tips on dealing with difficult or frail residents. oThe
housekeeping department created a satisfaction survey tool. oThe
Food Service Department has already undergone two independent
audits for safety/sanitation and overall food quality and has
earned exceptional marks. oAnd the CEO is creating a task force
of hourly workers to discuss what more can be done to fulfill
the 7 AAHSA objectives.
Finding the right Lifecare community can be a fulfilling and
truly rewarding experience. And going in asking the right
questions can mean the difference between good and excellent
care for you and your loved ones.
About Keswick Pines Keswick Pines is an award-winning lifecare
center located in Ocean County, NJ. The not-for-profit lifecare
community is home to nearly 400 residents, providing three
different levels of care. Visit Keswick Pines on the World Wide
Web at: www.keswickpines.com.
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