Location. Consider whether an urban or rural setting is best. Being close to a hospital and the person’s physician can be advantageous. And it‘s important the location allows for family and friends to visit regularly.
Accident prevention. Make sure the facility is focused on eliminating hazards and has sufficient accident prevention. Check for handrails in hallways and grab bars in bathrooms.
Fire safety. Be sure the facility complies with state fire safety codes. Ask to see the report of a home's last fire safety inspection showing that it meets state codes. Choose a home that has routine inspections. Regular fire drills are also good and a written emergency evacuation plan is valuable.
Bedrooms. Each bedroom must open to a corridor and have a window. Each resident should have privacy, closet space and drawers for personal belongings. Check for adequate room for wheelchair access. Ask how the home selects roommates, if applicable.
Cleanliness. Check for cleanliness and the preferred level of tidiness versus that lived-in look.
Lobby. A lobby should contain comfortable chairs and couches, plants and flowers, and a bulletin board with notices of activities and menus. License, certificates, a copy of any current order pertaining to the facility issued by a state department or by a court, and a notice regarding complaint procedures should be on display.
Hallways. They should be large enough to allow for two wheelchairs to pass with ease and should have handgrip railings on either side.
Dining rooms. Dining rooms should be attractive and inviting, with comfortable chairs and tables that can be moved to accommodate residents in wheelchairs. Sample the food and see if it matches the menu.
Kitchen. Food preparation, garbage and dishwashing areas must be separated from one another. Food needing refrigeration should never be left on counter tops.
Activity rooms. All facilities must have sufficient space for activities. Residents who are up to it should be engaged in activities of some kind.
Bathrooms. Bathrooms should accommodate residents who use wheelchairs, have a sink with hot and cold running water and grab bars on or near the toilet and bathing facilities.
Contact Us |
