Nursing Home Inspection contd.

Remember that you are dealing with a place that deals with people who are incontinent or similar. As such, there might be a urine odor. You don’t want a strong odor, but you also don’t want a very strong chemical smell masking all odors.

It’s important to visit more than one nursing/convalescent home or hospice, as you’ll get a sense of what sorts of odors you can expect at the facility. It’s  also very important that you visit on several occasions. For example, on your first visit you may smell something unpleasant, but on subsequent visits those odors won’t be there. Multiple visits will give you a feel for what a normal day is like inside a facility.

Are residents allowed to smoke? If so, are there designated areas?

Safety

Look around to get a sense of how safe the facility is.

Do you see safety measures in place like sprinklers, well-marked and visible exits, and fire alarms?

Are there non-slip handrails in the halls, in the bathrooms, and other places that residents visit?

Look at the flooring to see if there are any tripping or slipping hazards. For example, is the tiling and carpeting coming apart causing a tripping hazard? Are there throw rugs that can be bunched up and get tripped on?

Are spills cleaned up quickly and thoroughly?

Are wheel chair ramps provided?

How accessible are the common areas by wheel chair, walker or cane?

Is there emergency lighting?

Are there fire safety plans in place, as well as regular fire and emergency drills? Are there enough staff on duty to assist those who can’t get out themselves?

Are hallways and other common areas well lit?

Is there anything routinely left in the halls (like staff carts), or other obstructions?

Are there call buttons near bathrooms for residents needing assistance?

Are there non-slip surfaces in the bath tub?

Is there enough room in the hallways for two wheelchairs to pass each other?

Are there places inside and outside that are safe for Alzheimer’s residents to wander around?

Resident Rooms

Are the rooms inviting?

Is there a temperature control in the room for heating and cooling?

Do the residents decorate their own rooms and add personal touches?

Are residents allowed to have private phones?

What’s the view like out of the window?

Is there enough storage space for personal belongings?

Is there enough room for wheelchairs to move about the room?

Are there chairs to sit on and are solid (e.g., won’t tip over) and in good shape?

Where are the bathrooms located? Are they easily accessible by wheelchair?

Home

<< Previous    1  [2]  3  4    Next >>