FACILITY CHECKLIST
Cleanliness
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Does the facility meet your standards of cleanliness?
Patient Rights
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Is there a written description of patient rights and responsibilities? Ask for a copy.
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Does the staff protect patient privacy and dignity?
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Does the facility have an advance directives policy?
Care Planning
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Do individuals and families take part in developing their own care plan?
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Does the facility provide services for terminally ill residents and their families?
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Is there an Alzheimer’s disease program at the facility?
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Is there an AIDS program?
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Is a subacute care program available?
Staff Attitudes
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Does staff show interest and respect for the individuals?
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Is staff courteous?
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Is there a quick response to patient calls of assistance?
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Is staff respectful and friendly to other staff members?
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Is the administrator available to answer questions, hear complaints or discuss problems and concerns?
Licensure and Certification
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Do the facility and administrator have a current license issued by the state?
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Is the facility certified to provide Medicare and/or Medi-Cal coverage if the individual needs it?
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Is the latest state survey available for review?
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Does the facility have a formal quality-assurance program?
Location
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Is the facility conveniently located for frequent visits from family and friends?
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Is the facility located near a hospital?
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Is the facility conveniently located for the individual’s physician(s)?
Costs
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Does the basic daily charge cover all the services needed by the individual?
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Is there an available list of specific services not covered by the daily charge?
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If the individual leaves the facility, are the advance payments returned?
Medical
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Is a physician available in an emergency?
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Are personal physicians allowed to treat individuals?
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Does the facility report to the individual’s physician?
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Is regular medical attention guaranteed?
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Are care plans and medical records kept?
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Do your C.N.A.’s care for the same group of residents each time they work or do you rotate the assignment?
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Are individuals and families involved in treatment plans?
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Is confidentiality of medical record guaranteed?
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Are a variety of medical services (dentists, podiatrists, optometrists) available?
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In an emergency, will the individual’s personal physician be notified?
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Do you use agency nurses?
Hospitalization
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Does the facility have an arrangement with a nearby hospital?
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Is emergency transportation available?
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Are accommodations made to hold a resident’s bed if that person is hospitalized?
Pharmacy
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Are routine and emergency drugs available?
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Does a pharmacist review individual drug treatment plans?
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Is a pharmacist available for individuals and staff?
Therapy Program
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Is a physical therapy program available under the supervision of a qualified physical therapist?
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Are speech therapy and occupational therapy available?
Activities Program
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Are individual preferences observed?
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Are group and individual activities available?
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Is participation encouraged?
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Are the individuals involved in their surrounding community?
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Does the facility have volunteers working with the residents?
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Are offsite trips planned?
Social Services
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Is a social worker available to assist individuals and families?
Accident Prevention
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Is the facility well lit?
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Is the facility free of clutter and hazards?
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Are chairs sturdy and stable?
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Are warning signs posted on freshly waxed or wet floors?
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Are handrails and grab bars installed in the hallways and bathrooms?
Fire Safety
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Is the facility compliant with state and federal codes?
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Are exits unobstructed and clearly marked?
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Are emergency evacuation plans posted with floor plans throughout the facility?
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Does the facility conduct fire drills?
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Are exits unlocked from the inside?
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Are doors to stairways kept closed?
Bedrooms
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Do the bedrooms open onto the hallway?
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Does each of the resident rooms have a window?
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Are bedrooms limited to four beds?
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Does each bed have a privacy curtain?
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Is each bed equipped with a nurse call bell?
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Is fresh drinking water available next to each bed?
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Is there at least one comfortable, sturdy chair per resident?
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Is each individual provided a separate clothes closet or set of drawers?
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Are the bedrooms wheelchair-accessible?
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Is care used in roommate selection?
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Is each bed easily accessible?
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Are residents encouraged to decorate rooms with personal items?
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Can my loved one be wakened in the morning according to their lifelong routine?
Lobby
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Is there a welcoming atmosphere?
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Is the furniture attractive and comfortable?
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Is the activities schedule posted on a bulletin board?
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Are the facility certificates and licenses on display?
Hallways
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Are the halls wide enough for two wheelchairs to pass easily?
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Are handrails installed in the halls?
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Are the halls well lit?
Dining Room
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Is the dining area clean, attractive and inviting?
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Are tables convenient for wheelchairs?
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Is food tasty and appealing to the eye?
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Is there adequate time to eat meals?
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Do the meals match the posted menu?
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Is help given to the residents who need it?
Kitchen
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Is the food preparation area separated from the dish washing and garbage areas?
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Is food requiring refrigeration properly stored?
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Do the kitchen workers observe sanitation rules?
Activity Rooms
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Are rooms available for resident activities?
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Does the facility provide activity equipment, such as games, easels, yarn or a kiln?
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Is the equipment being used by residents?
Special Purpose Room
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Are rooms set aside for therapy or physical examinations?
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Are rooms available for private visits with family and friends?
Isolation Room
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Does the facility provide at least one bed and bathroom for patients with contagious illness?
Toilet Facilities
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Are toilets convenient to bedrooms?
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Are they wheelchair accessible?
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Are nurse call bells located near each toilet?
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Are hand grips installed near each toilet?
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Are bathtubs and showers equipped with non-slip surfaces and hand grips?
Grounds
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Are the grounds accessible to handicapped individuals?
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Does the facility provide outdoor furniture for residents and visitors?
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Are walkways clear and free of hazardous objects?
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Is parking adequate for visitors?
Religious Observances
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Does the facility make arrangements for patients to worship as they please?
Food
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Does a dietitian plan menus for residents requiring special diets?
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Are personal likes and dislikes considered?
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Does the menu vary from meal to meal?
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Is there adequate time to eat each meal?
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Does the facility provide snacks?
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Is food delivered to individuals unable to eat in the dining room?
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Are warm meals served warm?
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Is help given to the residents who need it?
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Do you offer alternatives if a resident does not prefer the main entrée?
Grooming
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Is assistance available for bathing and grooming?
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Are barbers or beauticians available?
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Does the facility provide basic laundry service?
Your Part
If you are selecting a care facility for a loved one, are you:
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Involving the individual in the decisions?
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Ready to ease the individual’s transition to the facility by being with her/him during admission as well as staying several hours getting her/him settled?
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Prepared to visit the patient often and encourage others to do the same?