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What to look for when choosing a retirement home
By Lisa M. Petsche
Retirement residences are private pay, wellness-oriented facilities that enable active seniors to maintain or improve their independence and overall health. They offer security, convenience, companionship, and the opportunity to engage in a wide range of activities, according to personal choice. However, they vary considerably in terms of price, size, amenities and services, which can make choosing one difficult.
If you are in the market for a retirement residence, it’s important to go beyond location, external appearances and advertising literature, and actually take some tours. Plan to visit several places, and ask a trusted relative or friend to accompany you. Prepare questions in advance, then photocopy the list so you can take a fresh one with you on each tour and make notes.
The following are some questions you might wish to include.
Resident suites
- Are a variety of suite sizes and styles available?
- Is there sufficient natural light from the windows, and do they open?
- What furnishings are provided? Can they bring their own?
- Does each room have an insuite bath equipped with grab bars, a raised toilet and an emergency call bell? Is it wheelchair accessible?
- Is there a kitchenette?
- Is there cable and phone hook-up?
- Is there a smoke detector and sprinkler in each room? An intercom system?
- Can the temperature be controlled within the suite?
Medical services
- Are professional nursing staff on duty around the clock?
- Is there a staff physician who makes regular visits and is on call the rest of the time? Can residents continue with their own doctor if they prefer?
- Is there pharmacy service? A medical room? Onsite capability for x-rays and lab work?
- What about podiatry (foot care) service, physiotherapy and outreach dentistry?
- Is convalescent care (during acute illness or recovery from surgery) available? If so, to what extent and at what cost? Can enhanced service be purchased on a longer-term basis?
Other services
- Are three meals a day plus snacks included? Is there more than one sitting? Can special diets be accommodated? Is there a choice of entrees? Is tray service available when a resident isn’t feeling well?
- Can visitors stay for meals?
- What is the frequency and extent of housekeeping service? Are linens and towels provided?
- Is there laundry service? Dry cleaning service? What about facilities for doing one’s own laundering (e.g. washing delicates, ironing)?
- Is storage space provided for seasonal items?
- Are there guest suites?
- Is there a hair salon? Onsite banking? Mail service?
- Is transportation provided to shopping and appointments?
Recreational activities
- What kind of weekly programming, special events and outings are offered?
- Is there a full-time, professionally trained activity director?
- Is a monthly newsletter or calendar of events distributed?
- Are friends and family members welcome to participate?
- Are there a variety of areas for recreation and socializing, such as: TV lounges, activity rooms, exercise room, workshop, craft room, horticultural center, hobby kitchen, games room, computer room, library?
- Is weekly Mass offered onsite? Is there a dedicated chapel?
The premises
- When was the place built? Does it appear to be in good condition?
- Is it spacious? Clean? Bright?
- How many floors are there? What is the resident capacity?
- Are the furnishings and décor attractive and modern?
- Are there areas for relaxing quietly? What about for entertaining (a party room or private dining room)?
- Is the building fully air-conditioned?
- What kind of security measures are in place?
- Are the grounds nicely landscaped? Do they include benches? A furnished patio? Shaded areas? A residents’ garden?
- Is there ample, free parking for residents and visitors?
- Which, if any, of the following are within walking distance: variety store, drug store, community or seniors’ center, park, public transit?
Financial considerations
- Are accommodation rates reasonable and all-inclusive? If not, what amenities are extra? How often do rates increase, and by what percentage?
- Are residents required to sign a lease?
- Is there a trial-stay plan?
- Can a petty cash account be set up, with regular statements?
Admission criteria
- Are scooters and wheelchairs accepted?
- Are any forms of oxygen therapy accommodated?
- What is the smoking policy?
- Is a medical assessment required?
- What happens if a resident’s health declines significantly?
Accreditation
- Are state licenses and industry memberships displayed, and are the dates current?
Insist on a thorough viewing of the facility—ask to see areas like the kitchen and laundry room if they’re not part of the standard tour. Talk to some residents to find our how long they have been there and what they like or dislike. Stay long enough to get a feel for the place. Many facilities advertise a complimentary lunch or dinner—take them up on it.
Immediately following a visit, make detailed notes. Keep them in a folder, together with brochures, business cards and other relevant paperwork.
Before a final decision is made, encourage your relative to consider a weekend stay at the place that appeals most to him or her.
Lisa M. Petsche is a medical social worker and a freelance writer specializing in boomer and senior issues.
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