Checklist for Long-term Care
If you plan to visit a nursing facility for your loved one with Alzheimer's disease, there are many things to think about. The following checklist may help. Print it out and go over each point on the list during your visit.
Overall Mission
__Talk with the director of the facility about the facility's philosophy of care. Ask for a copy of their mission statement. Do the people who run this facility share your beliefs?
__ Ask about the facility's rules about transferring residents back home, to a hospice, or to a hospital.
The Facility
__ Is there a special care unit for patients with Alzheimer's disease? If not, is it appropriate for someone suffering from Alzheimer's disease?
__ Contact your local Department of Public Health. Did the facility have any problems in their last evaluation?
__ Are there alarms on the doors? Would a person with Alzheimer's disease be safe there if he or she tends to wander?
__Is the building well lit?
The Staff
__ Sit and watch the nursing assistants and nurses. Do they seem to have affection for the residents? Do they respond to their needs?
__ What are the staffing ratios on each shift? The Alzheimer's Association recommends a ratio of 1 staff member for every 5 residents during the daytime and 1 staff member for every 9 residents on the overnight shift.
__ How much training has the staff had in Alzheimer's care? Have the staff members taken special courses to learn about Alzheimer's disease?
__Ask if the facility is certified by the Alzheimer's Association. This approval means that they have completed a training program for staff members. The answer to this question should always be "yes".
The Patients
__ Can someone with Alzheimer's disease find his or her way around the unit? There should be color cues and arrows to help people find their way. Patterns in the wallpaper and carpeting should not be too busy.
__ Does the facility use physical and chemical restraints? How do staff members deal with patients who have behavioral problems? How many of the unit's residents are receiving anti-psychotic, anti-anxiety, anti-depressant, or sleep medications? The fewer the medications, the better.
__ Meet with the activities director and ask to see a schedule of upcoming activities. Would they be of interest to your loved one? Is the activities director open to adding new activities?
__Is there at least one full-time activities staff person?
__Meet with the dietary director or the nutritionist and look at a sample menu. What are the meal options? If your loved one has any special needs, can the facility meet them?
The Role of the Family
__ What are the visiting hours and rules? Can family members take part in daily care, activities, and meal times?
__Is there a support group available for family members?
Extra tip: Visit the facility a second time without an assigned tour guide. Watch how the staff and residents get along. Talk to family members who are visiting the residents and get their opinions. Is your opinion of the place the same the second time around?
