Medicare

Nursing Home Checklist

Nursing Home

• Basic Information

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• Is the nursing home Medicare-certified? 

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• Does the nursing home have the level of care I need? 
  

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• Does the nursing home have a bed available?

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• Does the nursing home offer specialized services, such as a special unit for care for a resident with dementia, ventilator care, or rehabilitation services?

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• Is the nursing home located close enough for friends and family to visit? 

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• Resident Appearance 

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• Are the residents clean, well groomed, and appropriately dressed for the season or time of day?

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• Nursing Home Living Spaces

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• Is the nursing home free from overwhelming unpleasant odors?

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• Does the nursing home appear clean and well kept? 

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• Is the temperature in the nursing home comfortable for residents? 

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• Does the nursing home have good lighting?

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• Are the noise levels in the dining room and other common areas comfortable?

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• Is smoking allowed? If so, is it restricted to certain areas of the nursing home? 

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• Are the furnishings sturdy, yet comfortable and attractive?

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• Staff 

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• Does the relationship between the staff and residents appear to be warm, polite, and respectful? 

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• Does the staff wear name tags?

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• Does the staff knock on the door before entering a resident’s room? Do they refer to residents by name? 

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• Does the nursing home offer a training and continuing education program for all staff?

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• Does the nursing home check to make sure they don’t hire staff members who have been found guilty of abuse, neglect or mistreatment of residents; or have a finding of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment of residents in the state nurse aid registry? 

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• Is there a licensed nursing staff 24 hours a day, including a Registered Nurse (RN) present at least 8 hours per day, 7 days a week?

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• Will a team of nurses and Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) work with me to meet my needs? 

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• Do CNAs help plan the care of residents? 

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• Is there a person on staff that will be assigned to meet my social service needs? 

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• If I have a medical need, will the staff contact my doctor for me? 

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• Has there been a turnover in administration staff, such as the administrator or director of nurses, in the past year?

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• Residents’ Rooms

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• Can residents have personal belongings and furniture in their rooms?

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• Does each resident have storage space (closet and drawers) in his or her room?

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• Does each resident have a window in his or her bedroom?

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• Do residents have access to a personal phone and television? 

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• Do residents have a choice of roommates?

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• Are there policies and procedures to protect residents’ possessions, including lockable cabinets and closets?

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• Hallway, Stairs, Lounges, and Bathrooms 

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• Are exits clearly marked?

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• Are there quiet areas where residents can visit with friends and family?

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• Does the nursing home have smoke detectors and sprinklers?

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• Are all common areas, resident rooms, and doorways designed for wheelchair use?

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• Are handrails and grab bars appropriately placed in the hallways and bathrooms?

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• Menus and Food

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• Do residents have a choice of food items at each meal? (Ask if your favorite foods are served.)

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• Can the nursing home provide for special dietary needs (like low-salt or no-sugar-added diets)? 

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• Are nutritious snacks available upon request?

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• Does the staff help residents eat and drink at mealtimes if help is needed?

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• Activities

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• Can residents, including those who are unable to leave their rooms, choose to take part in a variety of activities?

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• Do residents have a role in planning or choosing activities that are available?

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• Does the nursing home have outdoor areas for resident use? Is the staff available to help residents go outside?

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• Does the nursing home have an active volunteer program?

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• Safety and Care

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• Does the nursing home have an emergency evacuation plan and hold regular fire drills (bed-bound residents included)?

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• Do residents get preventive care, like a yearly flu shot, to help keep them healthy? Does the facility assist in arranging hearing screenings or vision tests?

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• Can residents still see their personal doctors? Does the facility help in arranging transportation for this purpose?

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• Does the nursing home have an arrangement with a nearby hospital for emergencies?

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• Are care plan meetings held with residents and family members at times that are convenient and flexible whenever possible? 

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• Has the nursing home corrected all deficiencies (failure to meet one or more state or Federal requirements) on its last state inspection report? 

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