The following are questions you can ask when searching for Community Based Care. There are several different kinds of care ­ nursing homes, assisted living, home care and hospice.

QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT NURSING HOMES:

    Staff and Management Questions

  1. What is the LICENSED staff to patient ratio?
  2. How many Registered Nurses (RN), how many Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVN) on each shift? Ask particularly about after 5pm, nights and weekends.
  3. How many aides are available on each shift to help the residents?
  4. Is there an activities director on staff?
  5. How often do the doctors visit?
  6. How easy is it for the staff to make contact with a doctor if there is a medical problem?
  7. Is a doctor available by telephone 24 hours a day?
  8. Who provides and supervises pharmaceutical services?
  9. How long has the Director of Nursing (DON) been at the facility?
  10. How many DONs have there been in the past 5 years?
  11. How long have the various staff members been here? (The more stable the staff, with fewest changes, the better.)
  12. What is the background of the company running it?

    13. Activities and Resident Involvement

  13. Can I see the calendar of events planned for next month?
  14. What are the visiting times?
  15. Can the family help with personal care if they and the patient wish this?
  16. Can the family bring treats and favorite foods if the patient requests this?
  17. Can residents leave the nursing home for day trips or overnight stays with family and friends?
  18. What are the restrictions on bringing furniture and other personal items from home?
  19. Are there pets at the facility, or is there a pet visiting program?
  20. Can residents care for plants in their room or garden?
  21. Can residents participate in religious services?
  22. Is there a resident council?
  23. Is there an organization for family members?
  24. What services do volunteers provide?

    25. Services Provided

  25. Does the SNF have staff licensed to administer intra-venous therapy if needed?
  26. Are special diets available for health needs, religious or ethnic preferences?
  27. Will the nursing home hold a bed if the resident is admitted to hospital? If so, for how long?
  28. Is there a rehabilitation program available, should this be needed?
  29. What services are part of the rehabilitation program? Physical, occupational, speech and communications therapy?

    30. Financial and Payment Issues

  30. Who will pay for these services and for how long?
  31. If equipment such as a special bed is needed, who will pay?
  32. How can I find out about quality of care in the nursing home?
  33. How can I review complaints made about the nursing home?
  34. What services are covered by the basic daily charge?
  35. For what services are there extra charges?

    36. QUESTIONS TO ASK ABOUT HOME CARE:

    Home Care is the provision of skilled and personal services, and equipment in the home to restore and maintain health and function.

  36. What home care services can I have at home and are they covered?
  37. What kind of equipment and supplies can I have at home and are they covered?
  38. Do I qualify for home care?
  39. How do I find a home care agency?
  40. How do I find out about the agency’s quality of care?
  41. For how long can I receive home care?
  42. How much will home care cost?
  43. How do I pay for home care?
  44. Who will visit me at home?
  45. Will a doctor visit me at home?
  46. Will a health professional be available by telephone 24 hours a day?
  47. Will anyone at the home care agency help me find local community resources?
  48. My mother manages quite well at home, but needs help with bathing and meal preparation. How do I find a home helper for her?
  49. I have heard of “Respite Care” at home. What is this? Is this a good idea?
  50. I have heard that sometimes the government will help pay for respite care. How do I find out if I might qualify for this?

    51. OTHER QUESTONS TO ASK ABOUT COMMUNITY CARE

  51. What is an Area Agency on Aging?
  52. Can an Area Agency on Aging help me find out what services are available in my community?
  53. What other agencies can help me find services in my community?
  54. Is it a good idea to talk to the medical social worker at my local hospital?
  55. I have heard of geriatric care managers and professional care managers. What do they do? How can I find one?
  56. There is a senior center near me. Do they have information about community resources?
  57. What is adult day care?
  58. My vision is poor and I can no longer drive. How can I get help with transportation?
  59. How do I find out if there are any meal delivery programs such as “meals on wheels in my area? How do I qualify for such a program?
  60. How much will I have to pay for “meals on wheels?

    61. QUESTIONS ABOUT HOSPICE CARE

  61. How do I find out about hospice care in my area?
  62. Does insurance or Medicare pay for hospice care?
  63. When should I think about hospice care?
  64. What is palliative care?
  65. When should I think about palliative care?