Checklist: Questions To Consider When Choosing A Nursing Home

It may be helpful to ask yourself the following questions when deciding which Nursing Home is the best option for you or a loved one:

Facility

• Does the facility appear clean and orderly?
• Does the facility smell good, or does it smell strongly of unpleasant odors, such as urine or deodorizer?
• Is the layout of the facility easy to understand and remember?
• Is there a single nurses’ station or are there multiple nurses’ stations?
• Does the facility have a contained outdoor area?
• Do the rooms have features you desire, such as windows or a television?
• Are the common rooms clean and well maintained?

Services

• Does the nursing home offer social activities that you’re interested in?
• Does the nursing home provide housekeeping and laundry services?
• Does the nursing home have a volunteer program?
• Can residents manage their own schedules, such as when to wake up, eat, and go to bed?

Medical Care

• How are medications managed?
• How are medical emergencies handled?
• How are non-emergency medical situations handled, such as falls?
• How are visits from physical therapists, occupational therapists, medical specialists, and physicians scheduled?
• Does the staff have special training to deal with dementia or Alzheimer’s?
• Is there a special unit or special programming for residents suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s?
• How does the staff handle problems like wandering, disorientation, and agitation?

Staff

• Do people working at the facility seem warm and welcoming?
• Do staff members seem helpful, attentive, and patient?
• Do staff members interact with residents kindly and respectfully? Do staff members refer to residents by their names?
• Do staff members wear nametags?
• Do staff members knock before entering a resident’s room?
• How many people are on staff during weekdays? Weekends? Evenings?
• Do residents have the same caregivers on a daily basis?
• Does the nursing home run background checks on staff members to make sure they haven’t been found guilty of abuse or neglect?

Residents And Facility Culture

• Do current residents seem happy and comfortable?
• Are residents well groomed and properly dressed?
• Do residents socialize or interact with each other?
• If you are considering sharing a room, do you think you and your roommate will get along? If not, are there other options for who you might be able to live with?

Meals

• If you have religious or medical dietary needs, can the kitchen accommodate you?
• Do you have the option of eating in your room rather than in the dining room?
• Do residents who need help eating get timely assistance?
• Are snacks offered throughout the day?