A NEW HOME - THE FINAL INSPECTIO

A NEW HOME - THE FINAL INSPECTION

Frank E. Fain, PhD

Fourth article in the series

“Helping an Elder loved one find a good care facility”

The final phase in selecting a good care facility for an elder loved one involves a careful examination of legal, safety, social and spiritual aspects of the home’s care for residents. In your final inspection you need to discover the following important information.

Legal Issues:

See if a statement of resident’s rights clearly posted? Ask: How does the facility protect these rights? Is there an internal process to report potential rights violations? What are the follow-up procedures to such a report?

See if the latest state inspection report posted? If so take time to read it. If it is not posted request a copy of it, including any deficiency statements and the facility’s plan of correction.

Ask for a copy of their admission agreement and patient care policies. Ask if there are other agreements, contracts, forms or legal documents you must complete before admissions?

Ask for a written copy of the refund policy if a resident is discharged, goes to the hospital, or dies?

Secure a written list of the basic cost of care, additional services costs, and entry fee.

Ask: How does the organization help residents find available financial resources such as Medicaid, Medicare, Veterans benefits, cash grants, benevolent grants?

Safety Issues:

See if an emergency evacuation plan posted in a visible place? Look for the facility’s safety devices such as smoke/carbon dioxide detectors, a sprinkle system, fire extinguishers and fire doors? Ask: How often are these devices tested?

Ask: How often are fire and disaster drills practiced? Where will the residents be taken in case of full evacuation due to fire, hurricane, or other disaster that renders the facility uninhabitable?

Discover the home’s procedures for medical emergencies? What hospital are residents taken to in an emergency? How do they communicate with the family in such cases?

Social Issues:

Look for a schedule of recreational and social activities poster? See if there are a variety of interesting social, recreational, and cultural activities planned? Find out if there is a lounge or community room for residents and their families to use?

Is the dinning room clean, comfortable and attractive? What is the meals schedule? What kinds of foods are included in the menu? Is the menu posted? Are visitors and family members allowed to eat with the residents?

See if the visiting hours are clearly posted posted? Discover their policies concerning visitors?

Discover how does the home encourage the family to assist in the residents’ care? Is the family involved in developing a resident’s plan of care?

Spiritual Issues:

Discover if the residents have opportunities to attend religious services and activities of their own faith? What is their policy for visiting by ministers? Church groups?

Does the facility have an in-house chaplain? Do they have on-site worship services?

By the end of this final inspection process your elderly loved one and you will be able to make a well informed selection of the best care facility available. There will be many challenges to face in the transition of moving into a new home. But by doing your homework you greatly reduce the common doubting question: “Did I make the right choice?”

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	See if a statement of resident’s rights clearly posted? Ask: How does the facility protect these rights? Is there an internal process to report potential rights violations? What are the follow-up procedures to such a report?
	See if the latest state inspection report posted? If so take time to read it. If it is not posted request a copy of it, including any deficiency statements and the facility’s plan of correction.
	Ask for a copy of their admission agreement and patient care policies. Ask if there are other agreements, contracts, forms or legal documents you must complete before admissions?
	Ask for a written copy of the refund policy if a resident is discharged, goes to the hospital, or dies?
	Secure a written list of the basic cost of care, additional services costs, and entry fee.
	Ask: How does the organization help residents find available financial resources such as Medicaid, Medicare, Veterans benefits, cash grants, benevolent grants?

	See if an emergency evacuation plan posted in a visible place? Look for the facility’s safety devices such as smoke/carbon dioxide detectors, a sprinkle system, fire extinguishers and fire doors? Ask: How often are these devices tested?
	Ask: How often are fire and disaster drills practiced? Where will the residents be taken in case of full evacuation due to fire, hurricane, or other disaster that renders the facility uninhabitable?
	Discover the home’s procedures for medical emergencies? What hospital are residents taken to in an emergency? How do they communicate with the family in such cases?

	Look for a schedule of recreational and social activities poster? See if there are a variety of interesting social, recreational, and cultural activities planned? Find out if there is a lounge or community room for residents and their families to use?
	Is the dinning room clean, comfortable and attractive? What is the meals schedule? What kinds of foods are included in the menu? Is the menu posted? Are visitors and family members allowed to eat with the residents?
	See if the visiting hours are clearly posted posted? Discover their policies concerning visitors?
	Discover how does the home encourage the family to assist in the residents’ care? Is the family involved in developing a resident’s plan of care?

	Discover if the residents have opportunities to attend religious services and activities of their own faith? What is their policy for visiting by ministers? Church groups?
	Does the facility have an in-house chaplain? Do they have on-site worship services?