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Choosing a retirement center is a major life decision! Make sure to ask these questions!
Questions and considerations:
Make sure you know about the rooms and general rules.
- Consider general location of the apartment within the complex. Can the person easily access the dining room and areas where activities are held? Appropriate access to emergency exit? Is the person near other residents or isolated? Is it easy to get to the mailbox and front desk?
- Ask about emergency plans. Is someone mentally and physically capable of exiting in a timely manner in case of a fire? What is the facilities plan of action in case of natural disasters?
- What room modifications are allowed? Painting, handing additional items, changing light fixtures to increase lighting for low vision, adding grab bars, changing shower or tubs to improve accessibility, etc.
- Ask about specific restrictions. Are pets allowed (breed restrictions, rules regarding cleanliness, etc.)? Are power wheelchairs and scooters allowed (is there a driving test, extra contract and liability waiver)? Is alcohol allowed? Are overnight guest permitted (under what circumstances and for how long)?
Asking in-depth questions about the quality of service and care is very important and should not be overshadowed by how nice the facility may physically look.
- How do residents communicate needs? Is there a call bell system? What hours is the concierge available to answer questions?
- What is the average time it takes for staff to respond?
- What is the staff to resident ratio? This may change based on the setting.
- How consistent are the staff? Are here several staff members that have worked at the facility for a long time? It is especially important to have consistent staff in memory care, so they are familiar with the residents.
- Is there a check in system and how often does staff check on residents?
- Is there a way to easily call for emergency help? Is there emergency pull cords and are they located in easily accessible areas?
- How are medical emergencies handled? Will a nurse come to assess, will staff assist with medical needs or will the resident need to seek medical attention independently? Is the family called? Are there specific protocols (must go to ER if striking head, etc.)
- How are concerns handled? What is the process for investigating an incident? Who handles complaints and what is the follow up process?
This is only a short list of things to consider when initially looking at the living space.
- Is the room accessible for this particular person?
- Is the bathroom big enough for special equipment and a wheelchair or walker if required in the future?
- Are any emergency pull cords or buttons accessible and in locations where the resident would need them the most? (including the shower)
- Is there a stove and is the aging adult safe to use the stove?
- Is there access to outside? Balcony or patio in room if this important to the older adult.
- Are there thresholds or major surface changes within the living environment? This may be difficult to mange a walker or wheelchair over the thresholds and may be a fall hazard.
- Are doorways accessible and are there any tight turns that could be a fall risk.
- Think about the furniture and overall layout of the apartment and how everything would fit and not block doors, windows, vents, etc. just as you would anywhere else. And more importantly ensure there is room for open floor space and pathways for potential use of a walker or wheel chair.
Each Retirement Center has various levels of care and services and it is very important to know the details!
- What levels of care are available? Ask specific questions about qualifications to be in a particular setting (ex. must be able to walk and not use a wheelchair in memory care, must be able to retrieve meals or walk to dining room in independent living). Ask about pricing for all levels of care in case the level of care changes?
- Ask how transitions to the next level of care are handled? Will there be a situation you will be paying rent for both apartments / rooms during the transition?
- Ask about the type of contract? Is the contract structured that there will be a fee-for-service? Is there an option for a life time contract where the fee stays the same and services can be provided for the lifetime regardless of financial hardship or changes in medical condition?
- What happens if the room is vacant? This can occur during hospitalizations or rehabilitation stays. Is there a decreased fee as the resident is not using staff resources for care?
- What is the move out process? What type of notice is required? Are there any associated fees for breaking a lease?
- Ask about the overall financial picture of the company or facility? This is important to understand if there is a likelihood of new management (changing rules and prices), increased fees (for updates or to pay off debt) or even the possibility of needing to move campuses.
Nutrition and meals are typically included to some degree in the contract. Asking to sit in for meal can really help you understand the dining experience better.
- What are the dining times?
- What are the meals plans? Some meal plans only include 2 meals a day.
- Can they accommodate special diets and dietary restrictions?
- Can they offer modified diets for swallowing difficulties?
- Can they provide a sample of the menu? What are some frequently served meals or food items?
- Take note of the dining room atmosphere and if it social and welcoming.
- What is the set-up of the dining room? Is there a place to park walkers and wheelchairs or can they be brought all the way to the table? Are walkers allowed at the buffet?
- Is there an extra cost if meals are delivered to the room?
Quality of life at a retirement center should not be overlooked!
- Ask about the available activities, community groups, outings, leisure options. Speak with activities director and ensure activities align with unique individuals personality. Ask to attend an activity or community group meeting.
- Ask about orientation and integration into the new living situation. Some places have ambassador programs or similar options to be paired with a resident that helps introduce the new resident to others in the community. Some communities (memory care) may develop a resident profile to better understand how to meet their social and leisure needs.
- What is the overall social environment? This question may be best answered from visiting the facility and noticing if residents are mostly in their rooms or being social, sitting outdoors, leaving for outings, etc.
- Consider the overall diversity of the community. Would a person of color feel comfortable in the community? Is there multiple options to express one’s religion or meet spiritual needs?
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