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Home » Consumer Information » Elderly Care

Nursing Home Checklist

Choosing a nursing home for a loved one is an extremely important decision. You want to put them in a situation where the care provided is the same care you would give them yourself assuming you had the time and energy. As you research nursing homes, there are many questions you will need answered. Here is a list that you should bring with you to every nursing home visit so that you can take notes for future comparison. Don’t be afraid to engage in conversation with nursing home staff, especially those providing direct care to residents.

Staff characteristics

  • Are they competent and confident in their duties?
  • Are they happy with their jobs?
  • Do they respect residents?
  • Can you imagine them caring for your loved one?
  • Do they respond to residents’ calls for care promptly?
  • How many residents does a nurse give attention to in a given shift?

Resident characteristics

  • Are they out of bed, dressed, and well-groomed?
  • Are they engaging in activity outside their rooms?
  • Do they have privacy during personal care or treatment?

Quality of facility

  • Are rooms clean, comfortable, and up-to-date?
  • Have residents decorated their rooms with personal items?
  • Do bedrooms lead into a hallway and have windows?
  • Do handrails line the corridors?
  • Can two wheelchairs pass each other easily in the halls?
  • Do entrances have wheelchair ramps for trouble-free access in and out of the building?

Activities for residents

  • Is a calendar of daily programs posted?
  • Do the activities cover a wide spectrum of hobbies and interests?
  • Do residents help plan the activity schedule?
  • Have residents formed a council?
  • Are there programs for residents who are bedridden?
  • Does the home offer volunteer programs?

Dining accommodations

  • Is the mealtime atmosphere suitable and relaxing?
  • Does the current meal being served correlate with the menu?
  • Is food being prepared at the correct temperature?
  • Does the kitchen divide its food preparation area from those that may be unsanitary?
  • Are perishable foods kept refrigerated and fresh?
  • Does the food look enticing?
  • Can residents substitute meals when the current meal is not appealing to them?
  • Are residents who require assistance attended to rapidly?
  • Are residents allowed to have visitors accompany them to meals?

Bathrooms

  • Are bathrooms, showers, and tubs in close proximity to bedrooms?
  • Is there an intercom close to the toilet?
  • Is the bathroom designed for wheelchair use, and does it include support railings?

Healthcare

  • Is there an onsite doctor available for emergencies?
  • If a resident enhanced medical care, are there any hospitals with which the nursing home is bound by contract?
  • Does the home have a relationship with a pharmacist or pharmacy consultant?
  • Are residents allowed to use their own pharmacy if it is different?
  • Does the facility offer an assortment of therapeutic equipment?