Tips on Selecting a Residential Care Home for Your Loved One

It can seem overwhelming when you are faced with selecting a residential care home for your loved one so we designed a few tips to help you with your decision. These tips should be used as a guideline in making your selection. Use these tips along with any advice you receive from medical professionals, clergy or family members. Remember to compare any advice received to the needs and desires of the individual for which the care is required.

Tip #1 - First visit should be by appointment. This will assure that you will have someone to answer your questions regarding the facility and staff. Your questions should include personal care routines, credentials and experience of staff, inspections of facility, reputation of facility, recommendations both professional and from past and present clients.

Tip #2 - If after your initial appoint you feel that this facility just may be one that you would seriously consider than it is wise to make two unannounced visits to find out how they really treat the residents. Make one of the visits around a mealtime so you can observe how meals are passed out and how comfortable the residents are doing and after the meal.

Tip #3 - Make an effort to speak with residents when staff are not around as well as family members of residents if possible regarding how their loved ones are being treated at the facility.

Tip #4 - Observe the physical aspects of the facility. Is it clean, orderly, and pleasant to look at? Are there recreation rooms and rooms for quiet pastimes? Do the residential rooms have comfortable climate control? Does it seem crowded or understaffed for the number of residents?

Tip #5 - Pay close attention to how the staff interacts with the residents. Are the residents treated like children or adults? The staff should respect the personal dignity needs of the residents as well as understand what their psycho-social needs are and be able to address them in a meaningful way.

Tip #6 - Make sure that you read the rental contract or patient agreement carefully. Look carefully for any extra fees that may be listed. Make sure that anything not covered by the standard care contract is listed and explained by the administrator. If all fees are not in writing but an implication is made that there may be additional fees that may be incurred that are not in writing, this should be a red flag for you. Ask if there are any requirements for giving notice if you must move your relative out of the care facility as some facility have standard notice rules to adhere to with penalties assessed for noncompliance.

Tip #7 - Observe a meal being served. If possible, ask if you can eat one meal with the residents. You will be able to witness not only how the meal is served, but also how much variety in drink and meals choices are offered to the residents. You will also be able to see what assistance is offered regarding cutting meat, temperature of the meals, choices of beverages etc. Are there adequate amounts of each food item? Are there a variety of fruits and vegetables present during the move? Is the food served in an attractive way? Does the food look and taste appealingly. Is the dining atmosphere comfortable and attractive? Can residents socialize while they are eating?