Some considerations when choosing a Residential Care Facility
Choosing a long term care facility for your loved one is a very important decision and you need to feel comfortable in the environment and confident about the people who will be looking after them. This process should not be rushed. Firstly, Are you able to visit unannounced to view the facility or are you required to make an appointment?
1. Ask the name and position of the person who will be showing you around.
2. Keep in mind that the emotional care of people with dementia is far more important than a luxurious décor.
3. Walk around and listen to how staff members interact with the residents:
4. Do they treat the residents with respect or do they talk down to them?
5. Do they talk over the residents as if they are not there?
6. Do they allow and encourage residents to maintain their independence and use the abilities and skills they still have?
7. Do they react positively to residents’ needs and wishes; or are these needs overridden?
8. Are the residents’ self-esteem boosted?
9. Is the atmosphere one of kindness and love; or is it one of rules and routines?
10. Are residents offered activities to help them improve and maintain memory?
11. Do staff speak to one another courteously?
12. Do staff hurry?
13. Is the atmosphere stressed?
14. Are you made to feel welcome?
15. Are their any relatives visiting that you can speak to about their experience at this facility?
Practical considerations:
1. Is the facility home-like and welcoming?
1. What is the attitude of staff (at all levels) assisting you during your visit?
2. Does each resident have a secure space for their personal and special belongings?
3. Do the same staff members continuously care for the people with dementia, or do the staff rotate within the facility?
4. Does the person showing you around ask genuine and interested questions about special needs and preferences?
5. If entry level is low care, is there access to move into high care/nursing home?
6. Can a family member stay overnight if needed?
7. Are you welcome to look all around the home, or only designated areas?
8. Is the home fresh, clean and well maintained?
9. What specific care and assistance will be provided?
10. Can residents bring their own furniture and decorate their rooms to suit individual tastes?
11. Are residents allowed to hang ornaments and/or frames on their room walls?
12. Is there easy access to safe, sun smart outdoor areas?
13. How many staff does the facility have and are they registered nurses, enrolled nurses, trained carers?
14. How many staff provide care overnight?
15. Will the resident be accompanied to hospital should the need arise?
16. Can residents keep their own doctor?
17. Are meaningful day-to-day activities both allowed and encouraged?
18. Does the facility offer a well-implemented, positive activity program for all resident levels?
19. Are single rooms available?
20. Are bathrooms en-suite or shared?
21. Is the facility close enough to allow for visits from family and friends?
22. Does the facility allow pets?
23. Are individual religious and cultural affiliations accommodated?
24. Is it clearly evident to someone with dementia how to find toilets and assistance within the facility?
25. What outside services are provided e.g. podiatry, hairdressing, physiotherapy etc?
26. Do you understand the costs and agreements associated with care? Agreements to enter aged care are legally binding documents and as such you should seek advice from a qualified legal representative before signing.
Choosing a long term care facility for your loved one is a very important decision and you need to feel comfortable in the environment and confident about the people who will be looking after them. This process should not be rushed. Firstly, Are you able to visit unannounced to view the facility or are you required to make an appointment?
1. Ask the name and position of the person who will be showing you around.
2. Keep in mind that the emotional care of people with dementia is far more important than a luxurious décor.
3. Walk around and listen to how staff members interact with the residents:
4. Do they treat the residents with respect or do they talk down to them?
5. Do they talk over the residents as if they are not there?
6. Do they allow and encourage residents to maintain their independence and use the abilities and skills they still have?
7. Do they react positively to residents’ needs and wishes; or are these needs overridden?
8. Are the residents’ self-esteem boosted?
9. Is the atmosphere one of kindness and love; or is it one of rules and routines?
10. Are residents offered activities to help them improve and maintain memory?
11. Do staff speak to one another courteously?
12. Do staff hurry?
13. Is the atmosphere stressed?
14. Are you made to feel welcome?
15. Are their any relatives visiting that you can speak to about their experience at this facility?
Practical considerations:
1. Is the facility home-like and welcoming?
1. What is the attitude of staff (at all levels) assisting you during your visit?
2. Does each resident have a secure space for their personal and special belongings?
3. Do the same staff members continuously care for the people with dementia, or do the staff rotate within the facility?
4. Does the person showing you around ask genuine and interested questions about special needs and preferences?
5. If entry level is low care, is there access to move into high care/nursing home?
6. Can a family member stay overnight if needed?
7. Are you welcome to look all around the home, or only designated areas?
8. Is the home fresh, clean and well maintained?
9. What specific care and assistance will be provided?
10. Can residents bring their own furniture and decorate their rooms to suit individual tastes?
11. Are residents allowed to hang ornaments and/or frames on their room walls?
12. Is there easy access to safe, sun smart outdoor areas?
13. How many staff does the facility have and are they registered nurses, enrolled nurses, trained carers?
14. How many staff provide care overnight?
15. Will the resident be accompanied to hospital should the need arise?
16. Can residents keep their own doctor?
17. Are meaningful day-to-day activities both allowed and encouraged?
18. Does the facility offer a well-implemented, positive activity program for all resident levels?
19. Are single rooms available?
20. Are bathrooms en-suite or shared?
21. Is the facility close enough to allow for visits from family and friends?
22. Does the facility allow pets?
23. Are individual religious and cultural affiliations accommodated?
24. Is it clearly evident to someone with dementia how to find toilets and assistance within the facility?
25. What outside services are provided e.g. podiatry, hairdressing, physiotherapy etc?
26. Do you understand the costs and agreements associated with care? Agreements to enter aged care are legally binding documents and as such you should seek advice from a qualified legal representative before signing.
