Page 18 - Senior Housing Directory 2016 South Cental Michigan

HOW TO CHOOSE A RESIDENCE THAT IS RIGHT FOR YOU
The time to start looking for a long-term care residence is before you need or want it. This will allow the person needing care, as well as family, to make decisions together. Making intentional decisions rather than ones that are limited by your options in a more urgent situation allows for the most comfortable transition.
With that in mind, it is good idea to visit as many places as possible. This guide can help you get started but there is nothing
like a visit for a full picture of what options are available. While you are looking, you should consider your current needs and how those needs may change in the future. You should set some priorities for what is most important to you in a home or community, and determine what you can afford.
When you have narrowed down your choices, make another visit. Vary the time
of the visit, come unannounced. To get a better idea of what life at the home is like, talk with residents and get their impressions.
If the facility is licensed you can ask
to see the latest state inspection report. Review the report with the admissions person or administrator. Ask for clarification of any citation that impacts those things important to you.
This list is just a starting point of items
for you to consider. Be sure to include other items specific to your situation. This just might be one of the best decisions you make going forward for your health and well being.
Consider the following as you are deciding when you start looking.
Location
• Is the home in a convenient location? • Is it close to community services
and resources that you use
(e.g., doctor offices, shopping mall, movie theater, church)?
Environment and Safety
• Is the entrance to the home safe?
• Are the entry and parking lot well lit? • How is the exterior appearance of the
home or community?
• How is the interior appearance;
is it clean or cluttered?
• Is the home a comfortable temperature
with good air circulation? Is there
an odor?
• Are their working smoke detectors,
emergency fire sprinkler system,
and monthly fire drills?
• Does the home have a security
system/alarms?
• Does staff know what to do in the case of an emergency or fire? (Ask staff)
• Is there an emergency call system?
• How are medical emergencies handled? • Does staff appear pleasant, attentive
to residents, and respectful?
• Is the staff well groomed?
• Which staff people provide direct care?
(Talk to some care staff.)
Staffing and Training
• What is the ratio of direct care staff to residents?
• Does the home bring in help from home health care agencies? • What initial and ongoing training
is provided for staff?
• How frequently are staff
evaluations conducted?
• Who supervises direct care staff? • If an RN is on staff, what are his/
her hours, role, and responsibilities? • Who provides additional services
when needed?
• Are staff trained in preventive oral
hygiene care?
• How long does the average person
work for the home?
• What is being done to retain staff?
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18 SENIOR HOUSING DIRECTORY | 2016
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