__ As you enter the lobby and tour the residence, is the decor attractive and home-like?

__ Did you and your potential resident both receive a warm greeting from staff welcoming you to the residence?

__ Does the administrator/staff call residents by name and interact warmly with them as you tour the residence?

__ Do residence socialize with each other and appear happy and comfortable?

__ Are you able to talk with residents about how they like the residence and staff?

__ Do the residents seem to be appropriate house mates for your loved one?

__ Are staff appropriately dressed, personable and outgoing?

__ Are visits to the resident welcome at any time?

__ Is the community well-designed for residents' needs?

• Is the floor plan easy to follow?
• Are the doorways, hallways and rooms accommodating to wheel chairs and walkers?
• Are elevators available for those unable to use stairways?
• Are hand rails available to aid in walking?
• Are cupboards and shelves easy to reach?
• Are floors of a non-skid material and carpets firm to ease walking?
• Does the residence have good natural and artificial lighting?

__ Is the residence clean, free of odors and appropriately heated/cooled?

__ Does the residence meet local and/or state licensing requirements?

As You Discuss Needs and Assessments, Contracts, Costs and Finances:

__ Is there a written plan for the care of each resident?

__ What is the procedure for assessing a potential resident's need for services and are those needs reassessed periodically?

__ Can a resident be discharged for refusing to comply with a care plan?

__ When may a contract be terminated and what are refund policies?

__ Are there any government, private or corporate programs available to help cover the cost of services to the resident?

__ Is a contractual agreement available to include accommodations, personal care, health care and supportive services?

__ Are additional services available if the resident's needs change?

__ Are there different costs for various levels or categories of services?

__ How do you pay for additional services such as nursing care when needed on a temporary basis?

__ What are the billing, payment and credit policies?

__ May a resident handle their own finances with staff assistance if able, or should a family member or outside party be designated to do so?

__ What is the policy on insurance and personal property?

__ Is staff available to meet scheduled and unscheduled needs?

Food Service:

__ Does the residence provide three nutritionally balanced meals a day, seven days a week?

__ Are snacks available?

__ May a resident request special foods?

__ Are common dining areas available?

__ May residents eat meals in the units?

__ May meals be provided at a time a resident would like or are there set times for meals?

As You Discuss Services:

__ Is staff available to provide 24-hour assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) if needed? ADLs include:

• Dressing
• Eating
• Mobility
• Hygiene and grooming
• Bathing, toileting and incontinence
• Using the telephone
• Shopping
• Laundry
• Housekeeping in unit
• Transportation to doctor, hairdresser, etc.

As You Discuss Features of Individual Units:

__ Are different sizes and types of units available?

__ Are units for single and double occupancy available?

__ Do residents have their own lockable doors?

__ Is there a 24-hour emergency response systems accessible from the unit?

__ Are bathrooms private with handicapped modifications to accommodate wheelchairs?

__ Are residents able to bring their own furnishings for their unit and what may they bring?

__ Do all units have a telephone and cable TV and how is billing handled?

__ Is a kitchen area/unit provided with a refrigerator, sink and cooking element?

__ May residents keep food in their unit?

__ May residents smoke in their units? In public spaces?

Social & Recreational Activities:

__ Is there evidence of an organized activities program, such as a posted daily schedule, events in progress, reading materials, visitors, etc.?

__ Do residents participate in activities outside of the residence in the neighboring community?

__ Do volunteers, including family members, come into the residence to help with or conduct programs?

__ Does the residence require residents to undertake any chores or perform specific activities that benefit all residents?

__ Are resident's pets allowed in the residence? Who is responsible for their care?

__ Does the residence have its own pets?

Medication/Health Care:

__ What is the residence policy regarding storage of medication, assistance with medications, training and supervision of staff and record keeping?

__ Is self-administration of medication allowed?

__ Who coordinates home visits from a nurse, physical therapist, occupational therapist, etc., if needed?

__ Are staff available to assist residents who experience memory, orientation, or judgment losses?

__ Does a physician or nurse visit the resident regularly to provide medical checkups?