Nursing Home Checklist

DINING ROOMIs the dining area attractive andinviting?Are tables convenient for those inwheelchairs?Is food tasty and attractively served?Is time adequate to eat meals?Do meals match posted menus?Are those needing help receiving it?FOODDoes a dietician plan menusfor residents on special diets?Are personal likes and dislikestaken into consideration?Does the menu vary from meal to meal?Are snacks available?Is food delivered to residents unable orunwilling to eat in the dining room?Are warm foods served warm?KITCHENIs the food preparation area separatedfrom dishwashing and garbage disposal?Is food needing refrigeration put awaypromptly?Does kitchen help observe sanitationrules?ACTIVITY ROOMSAre rooms available for residentactivities?Are supplies and equipment available?(games, yarn, kiln, etc.)Are residents using equipment?SPECIAL PURPOSE ROOMSAre rooms set aside for physicalexaminations or therapy?Are rooms availablefor private visitswith family andfriends?ISOLATION ROOMSIs a room set aside to house those with acontagious illness?BATHROOMSAre toilets convenient to bedrooms?Are they easy for a wheelchair-boundperson to use?Is there a sink in each bathroom?Are nurse call bells located near each toilet?Are hand grips on or near toilets?Do bathtubs and showers havenon-slip surfaces and hand grips?GROUNDSIs there easy access for the handicapped?Is outdoor furniture available for residentsand visitors?Are the grounds free of hazardous objects?RELIGIOUS OBSERVANCESAre arrangements made for residents toworship as they please?MEDICAL INFORMATIONIs a physician available in an emergency?Are personal physicians allowed?Is regular medical attention assured?Are medical records kept on file?Are residents involved in plans for treatment?Is confidentiality of records assured?Are other medical services (dentist, podiatrist,etc.) available?Will the resident’s personal physician benotified in an emergency?Does the facility report periodically to theresident’s personal physician?CARE PLANNINGDoes the facility provide services forterminally ill residents and their families?Does the facility have an Alzheimer’sdisease program?Does the facility care for mentally illresidents?HOSPITALIZATIONDoes the facility have an arrangementwith a nearby hospital?Is emergency transportationreadily available?NURSING CAREIs a registered nurse responsible for thenursing staff in a skilled nursing facility?Are licensed nurses on duty around theclock?Are trained nurse aides and orderlies onduty in homes providing nursing care?PHARMACYAre routine and emergency drugs available?Does a pharmacist review resident drugregimens in a skilled nursing facility?Is a pharmacist available for staff andresident consultation?THERAPYIs there a physical therapy room availableunder the direction of a qualified physicaltherapist?Is therapy available to meet special needs?Are services of an occupational therapist orspeech pathologist available?ACTIVITIESAre resident preferences observed?Are group and individual activities available?Are residents encouraged to participate?Are outside trips planned?Do volunteers work with residents?SOCIAL SERVICESIs a social worker available to help residentsand families?GROOMINGIs assistance with bathingand grooming available?Are barbers and beauticiansavailable?STAFF ATTITUDESDoes the staff show interest in andaffection for individual residents?Is the staff courteous?Is the administrator available to answerquestions, hear complaints or discussproblems?Does the staff respond quickly toresident calls for assistance?Does the staff know residents by name?RESIDENT RIGHTSDoes the facility have a writtendescription of resident rights andresponsibilities?Is the staff trained to protect residentdignity and privacy?Does the facility have a resident council?COSTSAre all services covered in thebasic daily charge?If not, is a list available ofspecific services not covered in the basicrate? (Some facilities have rateschedules covering linen, personal laundry,haircuts, dental care, etc.)Are advance payments returned if theresident leaves the facility?YOUR ROLEIf you are selecting a nursing facility forsomeone else, are you:Involving this person in the decision?Prepared to ease the transition by goingalong on admission day and staying a fewhours during the “settling in” period?Ready to visit frequently and encouragefriends to make similar visits?Willing to provide the same amount oflove in the nursing home as you wouldat home?