Residential Care Checklist

This checklist has been designed primarily for selecting a long-term care home. However, you may wish to use and adapt it to consider the offerings of a retirement home or a supportive 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 Residential Care Associations' website at : www.orca-homes.com

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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?