Choosing Long Term Care

How To Choose Long Term Care That Provides Quality Care And Protects Residents' Rights

Long term quality care is the subject nationwde, however choosing long term care can be difficult. Our long term care checklist shows you how to choose long term care that provides quality care and protects residents' rights. Not all nursing homes, adult family homes, boarding homes or veteran homes provide quality care and protect residents rights. The good news is, if you follow our guideline you will quickly learn how to choose long term care that does provide quality care and protects residents' rights.

First, select a long term care facility that is close and convenient to family members or friends that will be visiting most often. Visit the facilities you are considering, meet with the administrator and staff; speak with residents and their family members to get a full understanding of life in the facility. Contact the resident council and family council, they can provide you valuable day to day information. Last but not least, before you choose a long term care facility for placement contact the long term care ombudsman.

Although the process takes time and patience, this is how to choose long term care that provides quality care and protects residents' rights. For more information see the long term care checklist below and our resource link directory. The long term care checklist can be used for all long term care facilities, nursing homes, adult family homes, boarding homes and/or veteran homes.

How to choose Long Term Care

Is the long term care facility Medicare-certified.
Is the long term care facility Medicaid-certified.
Does the long term care facility have the level of care needed (e.g. skilled, custodial), and a bed is available.
Does the long term care facility have special services if needed in a separate unit (e.g. dementia, ventilator, or rehabilitation), and a bed is available.
Is the long term care facility located close enough for friends and family to visit.

Resident Appearance

Residents are clean, appropriately dressed for the season or time of day, and well groomed.

Nursing Home Living Spaces

Is the long term care facility free from overwhelming unpleasant odors.
Does the long term care facility appear clean and well-kept.
The temperature in the nursing home is comfortable for residents.
The nursing home has good lighting.
Noise levels in the dining room and other common areas are comfortable.
Smoking is not allowed or may be restricted to certain areas of the nursing home.
Furnishings are sturdy, yet comfortable and attractive.

Nursing Home Staff

The relationship between the staff and the residents appears to be warm, polite, and respectful.
All staff wear name tags.
Staff knock on the door before entering a resident?s room and refer to residents by name.
Does the long term care facility offer a training and continuing education program for all staff.
Does the long term care facility do a background checks on all staff.
The guide on your tour knows the residents by name and is recognized by them.
There is a full-time Registered Nurse (RN) in the nursing home at all times, other than the Administrator or Director of Nursing.
The same team of nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) work with the same resident 4 to 5 days per week
CNAs work with a reasonable number of residents.
CNAs are involved in care planning meetings.
There is a full-time social worker on staff.
There is a licensed doctor on staff. Is he or she there daily? Can he or she be reached at all times?
Has the nursing homes management team worked together for at least one year.

Residents' Rooms

Residents may have personal belongings and/or furniture in their rooms.
Each resident has storage space (closet and drawers) in his or her room.
Each resident has a window in his or her bedroom.
Residents have access to a personal telephone and television.
Residents have a choice of roommates.
Water pitchers can be reached by residents.
There are policies and procedures to protect resident?s possessions.

Hallways, Stairs, Lounges, and Bathrooms

Exits are clearly marked.
There are quiet areas where residents can visit with friends and family.
Does the long term care facility have smoke detectors and sprinklers.
All common areas, resident rooms, and doorways are designed for wheel chair use.
There are handrails in the hallways and grab bars in the bathrooms.

Menus and Food

Residents have a choice of food items at each meal. (Ask if your favorite foods are served.)
Nutritious snacks are available upon request.
Staff help residents eat and drink at mealtimes if help is needed.

Activities

Residents, including those who are unable to leave their rooms, may choose to take part in a variety of activities.
The nursing home has outdoor areas for resident use and staff help residents go outside.
Does the long term care facility have an active volunteer program.

Safety and Care

Does the long term care facility have an emergency evacuation plan and holds regular fire drills.
Residents get preventive care, like a yearly flu shot, to help keep them healthy.
Residents may still see their personal doctors.
Does the long term care facility have an arrangement with a nearby hospital for emergencies.
Care plan meetings are held at times that are convenient for residents and family members to attend whenever possible.
The long term care facility has corrected all deficiencies (failure to meet one or more Federal or State requirements) on its last state inspection report.