How to Assess Out-Of-Home Care Facilities

Finding the right care facility for your loved one is often sought after under stress and emotional upheaval. As parents age and become more dependent for care, it often becomes impossible for children to fulfill responsibilities to career, children, and parents. Finding a comfortable, friendly, and competent facility may seem impossible. Knowing some key factors to look for and seek out is imperative in finding the right home for your special loved ones when the time comes.

One of the first goals is to discover what each facility states is its philosophy of care. This includes what the mission statement is and what the facility is attempting to achieve.

Next, don't be afraid to wander around in a facility, one sign of a promising building is to have a staff member introduce themselves and offer assistance. Assess the environment for what types of stimuli are available to interest the clients. Is is too noisy or is it too quiet? Are the clients sitting in the halls with nothing to do, or are they being engaged in conversation, events, and socialization?

Observe for staff -to- resident interaction and availability. Listen for the sound of call systems and note if the call lights are answered promptly or if clients must wait for an extended period of time before the lights are answered.

Assess the facility for the appropriateness of setting to accommodate the needs of your loved one. Is there enough stimulation? Meaningful activities? Are there areas where interests may be pursued? Look at the Activity Calendar and note the types of activities offered and the schedules of events. What is there to do after meals, especially in the evening? Assess a variety of events that include music, physical mobility, fun, games, and religious services.

Look at the clients. Are they shaved, do they look well groomed and clean shaven? Assess whether the building is odor free. Look at the floors and walls for cleanliness, as well as condition of the building.

Observe a meal or meals and assess menus, the dining experience and dignity offered. Note what type of meal service is planned and is it individualized, or
does it appear institutionalized? Are alternates offered if a client doesn't like a particular item on the menu. What is the service like? Ensure that prompt assistance is offered as individuals may require.

Some other items one may wish to explore are the therapies offered, and if your loved one does not require a skilled therapist, check to see if a Restorative Program is offered to provide exercise and mobility programs to maintain the highest level of function able.

While these assessments are only the basics, one may also be able to look up information on individual facilities on websites such as Nursing Home Compare and Medicare.gov. These websites offer comparisons between local community facilities as well as past Medicare and Medicaid State Licensing surveys. Looking for a home is never a simple endeavor, but finding the right home for your parent is critical.