Senior Placement
Checklist
CHOOSING A FACILITY
Choosing an assisted living facility or residential care home can be a difficult and emotional situation. You want to be sure you’re asking the right questions and that it’s a good fit for your personal needs. No residential care home or senior living facility is perfect. Problems will come up. We feel it’s important to choose one where you can communicate freely with the management. Know their phone numbers and how to reach someone when a problem occurs.
ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY VS. RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME
It’s important to weigh the pros and cons when choosing an assisted living facility or residential care home. Be sure to read the fine print in your contract. If your loved one is in a larger environment and their health care needs increase, you may be looking at added costs on your monthly bill. Many activities of daily living are charged as “fee for service”. If you utilize them, they charge you.
No matter which environment you choose, be sure to know:
- What the staff to caregiver ratio is
- How long the staff has been with the company
- The caregiver training process, including physical and emotional support for the elderly
- Ask to view their annual State survey
ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES
Atmosphere: Generally the resident rooms are one to two bedrooms, or studios, and the atmosphere is similar to a hotel. Some of the nicer ones offer casitas, which is a nice option for seniors transitioning from a large private home.
Dining: Assisted living facilities usually have restaurant style seating with daily options to choose from.
Activities: If your loved one is still high functioning, assisted living facilities have many activities to choose from. Some examples include:
- Church Services
- Shopping, errands, doctor appointments. Facilities usually have a transportation van available to residents.
- Nursing and Wellness Staff on premises
- Movies, Casino Nights, Plays, etc
- Fitness Programs
- Housekeeping
- Laundry rooms available on site
Costs: Facilities charge a one time community fee, averaging $1500. This fee covers getting the apartment ready for a new resident, i.e. carpet, paint, appliance upgrades.
RESIDENTIAL CARE HOME
If your senior needs extra one-on-one care, a residential care home might be a good option. They are able to offer:
- High level of care
- Preferred setting for hospice
- Personalized services
- Doctors come to the residential care home vs. taking your loved one out to their medical appointment
- Home cooked meals but little variation from the menu
- No community fees
- Residents with dementia will have more structure
SENIOR SAFETY AND SECURITY
- Are the doors locked with an alarm? This is especially important for seniors with dementia.
- If your loved one is a wanderer, is the outside perimeter secure?
- Are the indoor windows secure?
- Are there rugs on the floor that could create a fall risk?
- Is the facility cluttered? Are there objects that could hurt someone?
CAREGIVING STAFF
- What is the caregiving ratio?
- How long have the caregivers worked in the care home or senior facility?
- Do caregivers have to provide care as well as do the laundry and cooking?
- Is the cooking and cleaning done by the overnight staff?
- Is the overnight staff “awake”?
- How is the staff trained?
- Do the caregivers appear uninterested and not paying attention to the seniors?
- Timeframe
- Budget
- Placement Location within Tucson
- Private or Semi-Private Room
- Private or Shared Bathroom
- Dietary Preferences
- Activities
SENIOR CARE NURSING STAFF
- How much time do the medical professionals spend with the seniors?
- How often do they come by for a visit?
- Do they get seen by a doctor or a nurse practitioner?
- What is their policy on refilling prescriptions?
ASSISTED LIVING OPTIONS
- Does the residential care home or senior facility provide transportation?
- Are there appropriate activities for your loved one?
- Is the menu home cooked? Does it contain fresh fruit and vegetables?
- Are there snacks and hydration between meals?
- Ask to look at the residency agreement. Know the policies on deposits and refunds!
