Are you looking for a senior care facility for you or your aging loved one? This detailed Senior Care Facility Checklist will assist you in comparing and evaluating various assisted living, nursing homes or other senior care facilities that meet your or your aging relative's specific needs. We highly recommend printing and taking this senior care facility checklist with you when touring prospective care facilities for seniors.

SeniorCareHomes.com's Senior Care Facility Checklist

Name of Senior Care Facility:________________________________________
Address: ________________________________________________________
Telephone number: ___________________ Email: ­______________________
Contact Person: ______________________ Date of visit: _________________

Here are some questions to ask when touring Senior Care Facilities. Please feel free to add more questions, if you need to.
 

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE SENIOR CARE FACILITY

1. Is there a waitlist for this senior care facility? If so, for how long?
2. Are visitors allowed anytime?
3. Do you like the atmosphere in the senior care facility? Is it home-like?
4. Does the senior care facility maintain a comfortable temperature for residents?

LOCATION OF THE SENIOR CARE FACILITY

• Do you like the location of the senior care facility?
• Is the care facility close enough for family and friends to visit?
• Is guest parking available for this senior care facility?

SAFETY

• Senior care facility has smoke detectors and sprinklers in all the rooms and hallway?
• Does the senior care facility have proper lighting?
• Exits are clearly marked and unobstructed?
• Does the senior care facility have handrails in hallways and grab bars in bathrooms?
• Are the areas accessible to walkers and wheelchairs?
• Are there door alarms installed?
• Does the senior care facility have good security in case a resident wanders?
• Are the floors non-skid?
• Are the Call buttons in the rooms and bathrooms accessible?
• Does the senior care facility have fire extinguishers that are strategically located?
• Is there an Emergency drill for seniors on a regular basis?
  

ROOMS

• Are the rooms and bathrooms clean in this senior care facility?
• Is the furniture comfortable and nice or can seniors bring furniture?
• Is there enough storage space in the room (drawers, cabinets)?
• Are there different sizes of room options (singe or double occupancy)?
• Are TVs, Cable, Radio, Internet, Telephone available for each room? If so how much is the fee?

MEALS IN THE SENIOR CARE FACILITY

• Does the food selection vary from day-to-day and meal-to-meal?
• Does the senior care facility offer nutritionally balanced meals seven days a week?
• Are snacks available?
• Can a resident request a special meal?
• Do seniors in this senior care facility follow a meal schedule or can they eat anytime?

COST OF THE SENIOR CARE FACILITY

• Are there any upfront costs for this senior care facility? (Deposit and other fees)
• How much does this senior care facility charge on a monthly basis?
• Do they charge seniors extra for care and supplies?
• Are there different costs for different levels of care?
• What types of insurance is accepted in this senior care facility?

1. Medicare
2. Medicaid
3. Medigap
4. Long-term care
5. Private Insurance
   
   

• How much will the insurance cover?
• How much will Medicare cover?

STAFF

• Are the caregivers in this senior care facility friendly?
• Are the staff members and caregivers dressed appropriately?
• Do they wear nametags all the time?
• Does the senior care facility offer continuing education and training for staff?
• Does the senior care facility owners do background check for each staff?
• Are the staff members and caregivers trained to handle emergency situations/conditions of seniors?

ACTIVITIES IN THE SENIOR CARE FACILITY

• Does the senior care facility offer organized activities with daily schedule postings?
• Are there any activities/events held outside of the senior care facility?
• Are daily exercise programs available for seniors?
• Can seniors make choices on their daily routine/schedule or senior programs and senior activities?

AVAILABLE SERVICES OFFERED IN THE SENIOR CARE FACILITY

• Is transport service available if seniors need to go to the bank, church, grocery, etc.?
• Are caregivers and staff members in this senior care facility available 24 hours to assist seniors, if necessary?
• Does the senior care facility provide housekeeping services for resident's room?
• Are there any Spiritual Services available?
• Does this senior care facility meet your cultural and language needs?
• Does the care facility for seniors provide updates to family members regarding resident's condition?

MEDICATION AND CARE

• Does the doctor or nurse check on the seniors regularly?
• Can residents self-administer their medications?
• Does the senior care facility have arrangements with a nearby hospital in case of emergency?
• Are there different levels of care available in this senior care facility, including future needs?
• Will the senior care facility arrange delivery for prescription and other medical supplies, if necessary?

COMMENTS: ­____________________________________________________

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NOTE: If you would like to use this Senior Care Facility Checklist on your website or your blog, you MUST include the following immediately below the article.
 

About the Author: Catharine D. Allado is a Senior Care Expert and the COO of SeniorCareHomes.com - A trusted and comprehensive online directory of Senior Care Homes such as Assisted Living, Nursing Homes and other types of Senior Housing in California, Florida, New York, Arizona and the rest of the United States. SeniorCareHomes.com also provides FREE Assisted Living options to help seniors and families find the best Senior Housing on the planet!

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