Aged Care Tips
Residential Care Placement Checklist
First Impressions are Important
- Does the overall atmosphere appear friendly, safe and comfortable?
- Does the home smell okay?
- Does it seem to be a comfortable temperature for all residents?
- Do the residents seem happy and content?
- Do the residents seem happy with the way staff address and respond to them?
- Are residents treated with respect as well as in a friendly manner?
- Does there seem to be enough staff?
- Do the staff seem caring and attentive towards residents?
- Are there other people with similar care needs to yours?
Location
- Will it be easy to see your family and friends?
- Is it easy to get to local shops, club, church or other places and events?
- Is there adequate transport to help you get where you want to go?
The Premises
- Can someone in a wheelchair move around easily?
- Is access difficult and safety an issue because there is more than one floor?
- Are there call-bells in the bedrooms, bathrooms and communal areas?
- Are rooms, stairs and corridors suitably lit?
- Is there a safe garden that residents can use?
- Are there smoke detectors and fire extinguishers?
- Are there security arrangements?
- Is the garden accessible to wheelchairs?
Accommodation
- Bedrooms - Can you have a single room if you want one?
- Are there rooms with their own bathroom and toilet en-suite?
- If you have to share a room can you meet the other person beforehand?
- Can you have a different room if you dont get on with the person?
- Are there screens in shared rooms to give privacy?
- Can you bring some of your own furniture and belongings?
- Can you lock your cupboard?
- Can you have your own TV in your room?
- Can you have a telephone installed in your room?
- Can you have air-conditioning installed?
Bathroom / Toilets
- Are toilets, baths and showers easy and private for residents to use?
- Is there a toilet within easy reach of your bedroom?
- Are there toilets within easy reach of all the communal rooms?
Community Rooms
- Is the furniture in the communal rooms arranged in a comfortable way?
- Is there a choice of lounges?
- Is there more than one TV room?
- Is there a quiet room with no TV?
- Are there non-smoking rooms?
Day-to-Day Life
- Are you comfortable with the house rules (eg. about smoking or pets)?
- Can you influence what happens in the aged care home?
- Is there an independent Residents and Relatives group?
- Would there be a member of staff to take a special interest in your welfare?
Domestic Arrangements
- Can you get up and go to bed when you want to?
- Will your room be cleaned at least once a week?
- Will your bed be made for you?
- Can you help arround the aged care home if you want to?
- Is it possible to buy small items in the aged care home?
- Are daily papers and mail delivered?
Language and Culture
- Is there a staff member who can speak your language?
- Is there a policy of culturally appropriate care?
- Have the staff received cross cultural training?
Personal Possessions
- Is there a secure place where personal items and valuables can be kept?
- Does the home take responsibility for insuring your possessions?
Meals
- Can you have input to menus?
- Do the menus include foods which you like?
- Do the menus give you a choice of dishes?
- Do the menus seem to you to be balanced and nutritious?
- Can special diets be catered for?
- Can you have/make a snack when ever you want?
- Is it possible to have meals other than at set times?
- Can you have meals in your rooms?
Leisure Time
- Are social events and outings organised frequently?
- Will there be activities which interest you?
Religion
- Will you be able to practice your own religion?
- Are there regular visits by a practitioner from your religion?
Telephones
- Can you have a telephone in your room?
- Is there a telephone without people overhearing what you are saying?
- Is there a telephone you can use which meets any special requirements?
Visitors
- Can family and friends visit you without restriction?
- Are there places where you can spend time in private with your guests?
- Can visitors stay for a meal or even overnight?
- Can you make/offer your guests a drink or snack?
Personal care
- Can you have a say in the way you are looked after/helped?
- Is the personal care you need available?
- Can relatives or friends help you with personal care if you want them to?
- Does a hairdresser visit the aged care home?
Health care
- Will your health care needs be met?
- Can you keep the same doctor you have now?
- Will you have access to a doctor at all times if required?
- Is there a local doctor who accepts patients from the home?
- Does a doctor visit the aged care home regularly?
- Do other other health professionals visit the aged care home?
- If your care needs change can you continue to live at the home?
How the Aged Care Home is Managed?
- Can you have a financial report for the aged care home?
- Who runs the aged care home?
- Are they the owner or the manager?
- How long have they been running the aged care home?
- Where can they be contacted?
- How many residents are there?
- How many care staff are on duty morning, afternoon, evening, at night?
- Are night staff awake or on call?
- What qualifications do the management and staff have achieved?
- What ongoing training do management and staff receive?
- Is the aged care home registered/certified/accredited?
Terms and Conditions
- What would be covered in your agreement?
- What are the facility guidelines, fees and costs?
- What does the daily fee cover?
- What services are included in your payment?
- What extra services do you pay for?
- When is the RAD payable?
- How much is the RAD?
- Are standard resident fees payable in advance or arrears?
- Are standard resident fees payable monthly?
- What happens if you run out of funds?
- How long a trial period of respite care can you have?
- What notice must be given if you want to leave the aged care home?
- In what circumstances might a resident be asked to leave?
