Questions to Ask Regarding Assisted Living
Determining where an elderly family member will live out their lives will probably be a very new experience for most of us. We might be apprehensive about what to look for and what questions to ask. We might want to walk gingerly so as not to upset staff causing them to mistreat our family members. Although, this might be a new experience, if you feel you have to compromise your values to receive good treatment for your loved one, then you are already in the wrong place. Below are some questions you might want to add to your list when looking for the best facility or situation for a loved one.
1. How financially stable is the facility/organization? The Annual Report should be a matter of public record. If you don’t understand how to assess the report, ask an accounting professional for help.
2. Are you allowed to participate in the care plan for your family member?
3. May I receive or review a copy of the admissions contract and the house rules? Even if you are not allowed to take the documents away before making a commitment, you still should be permitted to review the documents.
4. Will a room be reserved and kept for a resident who leaves the facility due to a hospital stay? Medicaid requires that a patient be returned to their original unit with a reserved bed after a hospital stay when in a Nursing Home. The same does not apply for Assisted Living facilities, so be sure to ask about room status after hospital stays.
5. Ask if you are allowed to have a meal at the facility so that you can get an idea about the quality of the meals.
6. Ask the facility director for the facility’s inspection report. This will allow you to determine how the place is being operated. If you see any infractions, ask if they have been corrected and if there is a status report to show that the infractions have been removed.
7. Ask if there is a licensed health care provider on duty around the clock, i.e., an RN, LPN or Nurse Practitioner. Discuss the certifications and licenses of other health care providers and staff.
There are so many things to ask to ensure you are putting you family member in the safest, most compassionate assisted living environment possible with top-notch services. Think of the process in the same manner as you would when finding a suitable day-care for your young child.
P. S. Always Remember to Share What You Know.
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