Questions to Ask: The following is a list of some questions which you might ask during your visits to the nursing homes.  You don’t have to ask all of them, or you may think of others you would like to add.  These are all appropriate questions to ask and you have a right to receive complete and accurate answers.  If you do not, then you are within your rights to report your findings to the nursing home licensing board.  This is my own, original list which I developed as a result of watching over and caring for my own rather independent mother who died at the age of 98.  Her last four years were in a nursing home.

1. Do you have a current license from the state?

2. When was the last inspection by the state, and what was the rating?

3. Look for a copy of the deficiency statement from the last inspection?  Have the deficiencies, if any, been corrected?  All surveys must be posted in a public place in the facility and must be accessible at all times for inspection by the public.

4. Do you accept Medicaid residents or other special needs residents such as victims of Alzheimer, stoke, cardiac, etc.?

5. How many beds are certified for Medicare, Medicaid and/or V.A. residents?

6. How many beds are currently available for Medicare, Medicaid and V.A. residents?

7. Is this facility designed to provide skilled nursing care (requires licensed nursing services available on a 24-hour basis), or does it also accommodate assisted living facilities (assisted self-care) and independent living (total self care in a protected environment)?

8. Do you provide special services, such as tube feedings, day care, or ventilators?

9. Do you provide transportation to and from physicians’ offices for appointments?

10. How many residents does one Licensed Practical Nurse care for during the day?  The evening period?  And at night?

11. How many residents does a certified nurse aide care for during the day?  Evenings?  Nights?

12. What is the ratio of professional nurses (RN) to practical nurses (LPN) and nurse’s aides (CNA).

13. What emergency procedures are the nursing staff prepared to handle, such as CPR and starting oxygen.

14. What are the qualifications of the individual administering medications? (An LPN and RN are the appropriate responses.)

15. Is there an R.N. in the building at all times or at home “on call?”  Is this true for nights and weekends?

16. How often does a physician make rounds in this agency?

17. If hospitalization becomes necessary, which agency will be used?

18. What is your policy regarding my purchase of prescription medications from Dad or Mom’s own pharmacie.

19. Will Mom or Dad have a private room or share a room with a roommate?

20. What are the policies concerning conjugal visits?  What arrangements are necessary?  For information concerning nursing home guidelines for elderly sexuality, go to http://www.fhs.mcmaster.ca/mcah/cgec/toolkit.pdf and for suspected elder sexual abuse, go to http://www.onlinelawyersource.com/news/sexual-assault.html

21. How large is the area of “personal space” for storing clothing, personal items, etc.?

22. What personal items may be brought?  Can Mom or Dad bring their own furniture?  Television?  Clock-radio?  Sewing machine?  Books? Computer? Telephone?

23. What are the requirements and arrangements necessary for admission?

24. What are the financial arrangements?

25. What are the policies about refunds for deposits and for a partial month?

26. What are the policies about holding a bed during a hospitalization or other absence from the facility?

27. How much advanced notice do you provide before increasing charges for regular or additional services?

28. What activities are included in the nursing home’s social program?  (Something more than bingo, we would hope!)

29. Are there chapel services available to the resident?  Does a chaplain visit, when, and how often?

30. For those capable, are there opportunities for residents to go on outings, such as shopping, plays, parks, etc.  If so, what about the expense involved, the number of staff accompanying them, etc.

31. What health care professionals are available: social workers, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists (for teaching disabled stroke victims how to swallow as well as speech training), social/recreational directors, etc.?

32. What personal services are available to the residents?  A coffee shop/snack bar?  Barber and beauty shops?  A whirlpool tub?

33. What arrangements are made to protect (particularly from loss) and maintain special equipment, such as wheel chairs, walkers, canes, glasses, hearing aids, false teeth, and other personal items?

34. What are the visiting hours?  Is a change anticipated?  Can my family’s special needs for visiting periods be accommodated?

35. When my daughter comes to visit, will she be allowed to stay with me in my room overnight?  Where will she sleep; on the floor, a cot, or a lounge chair?

                This may seem like an extremely long list. Some of these ideas may or may not be helpful.  They are offered in the hope that you and your family will be able to provide that special living arrangement that’s just right for him or her.  Once you begin investigating the potential arrangements for older adults and the elderly, you may find yourself asking even more questions. 

                Wholism. The goal is to provide wholistic care for your special older person, probably your Mom or Dad.  If care is given to the body, mind and spirit, then the last years of your elder relative may be the veneration for which you wish, an abundant life to the end.