Home, Community and Residential Care Services for Seniors
Residential Care/Provider Checklist
This checklist has been designed to assist you primarily in selecting a long-term care home. However, you may wish to use and adapt it if you are considering a retirement home or an affordable housing project.
For more detailed information and a checklist for planning a move to a long-term care home, ask your Community Care Access Centre for a copy of the Handbook on Accessing a Long-term Care Home.
For more information on selecting a retirement home, you can also download a list of questions from the Ontario Retirement Communities Association website at : www.orcaretirement.com
General Information
| PROVIDER 1 | PROVIDER 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Name |
||
| Address |
||
| Number of residents | ||
| Length of waiting period | ||
| Contact person |
Tips for touring a residential setting
Every residence has a unique culture and surroundings. It is important to determine whether the environment is right for you or your family member. You can determine this fit in the following ways :
- Talk to the residents and their families about their likes and dislikes
- Ask to see more than just your room and common areas.
- Ask for copies of sample menus, activity calendars and newsletters.
- Ask if you are able to sample a meal or participate in an activity at the home.
- Look for bulletin boards that might have notes or reports from resident groups, the board of directors, administrator, or documentation from an accrediting organization.
Specific Information
| PROVIDER 1 | PROVIDER 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| LOCATION | ||
| Is the location appealing to you? Is it near stores, a park, a familiar neighbourhood, or in a rural area? Is the location easily accessible for visits by family or friends? | ||
| APPEARANCE | ||
| Does the building appear to be clean, inviting and well-maintained? | ||
| ROOM FEATURES | ||
| Is the type of room and the bathroom to your liking? | ||
| Is there a way to have privacy if the room is shared? | ||
| Can you hook up a phone or cable TV in the room? | ||
| Is there an option for keeping your personal belongings secure? (e.g. Lockable drawers) | ||
| FURNISHINGS | ||
| Are all furnishings provided by the residence or can you bring some of your own? | ||
| COMMON AREAS | ||
| Are there special areas/rooms where you can visit privately? | ||
| ATMOSPHERE | ||
| Do the staff seem friendly? Are staff warm and concerned when interacting with residents? | ||
| FAMILY INVOLVEMENT | ||
| How are families involved in the planning for the resident's care? | ||
| Is there flexibility around visiting hours? | ||
| Can family or visitors dine with you? | ||
| MEALS | ||
| Are the menus varied and appealing to you? | ||
| Is there flexibility about mealtimes (choices of food, location, time)? | ||
| Can residents bring in their own food? | ||
| Are meals that are culturally familiar to you available? | ||
| LIFESTYLES | ||
| What are the policies around smoking, non-smoking (e.g., allowed or not, and if allowed, in what rooms or with what supervision)? | ||
| What are the policies around having alcoholic beverages? | ||
| Is the provider able/willing to meet your religious, cultural, language, and dietary needs? | ||
| SPECIAL NEEDS | ||
| What special needs can be accommodated at this setting? (e.g., oxygen, scooters, specialized services for dementia) | ||
| QUALITY OF CARE | ||
| Is the organization accredited by an independent body such as the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation? | ||
| COSTS | ||
| What are the charges? Are these charges standardized (e.g., long-term care facilities)? | ||
| What are extra charges, if any, for services or amenities (e.g., phone, hairdressing, transportation)? | ||
| How is billing arranged? | ||
| FREQUENCY OF HEALTH SERVICES | ||
| How frequently are services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and foot care available? | ||
| MEDICAL CARE | ||
| Is your family doctor able to continue providing care, and if not, what does the home suggest? | ||
| SERVICE LIMITATIONS | ||
| Are there situations when this particular setting would no longer be able to offer care to someone? | ||
For More Information
Call ServiceOntario, Infoline at 1-866-532-3161
In Toronto, 416-314-5518
TTY 1-800-387-5559
In Toronto, TTY 416-327-4282
Hours of operation : 8:30am - 5:00pm
