Page 20 - Senior Housing Directory 2022 South Central Michigan
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 It’s always best to start looking for new housing options long before you need them. It eliminates
the stress that urgency can create. Even if this decision is thrust upon you or a loved one this checklist can help to narrow your search.
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WHEN
looking for a long- term care (LTC) residence, including
clarification of any citation that impacts those things important to you.
This list is just a starting point of questions for you to consider. Be sure to include other items specific to your situ- ation. This just might be one of the best decisions you make going forward for the health and well-being of your loved one or yourself.
Consider the following as you are de- ciding when you start looking. Mark those that are most important to you.
Location • Location • Location
❍ Is the facility in a convenient location?
❍ Is the facility close to family and friends?
❍ Is it close to community services and resources that you use (e.g., doctor offices, shopping mall, movie theater, church)?
Environment and Safety
❍ Is the entrance to the facility safe?
❍ Are the entry and parking lot well lit? ❍ How is the exterior appearance of the
facility or community?
❍ How is the interior appearance; is it
clean or cluttered?
❍ Do residents have access to private
space or meeting rooms?
❍ Is the facility a comfortable tempera-
ture with good air circulation? Is there an odor?
❍ Are there working smoke detectors, emergency fire sprinkler system, and monthly fire drills?
❍ Does the facility have a security system/alarms?
❍ Does staff know what to do in case of an emergency or fire?
❍ (Ask staff) Is there an emergency call system?
❍ How are medical emergencies handled?
❍ Does staff appear pleasant, attentive to residents, and respectful?
❍ Are the staff well groomed?
❍ Which staff people provide direct
care? (Talk to some care staff.)
Infection Control
❍ How are individuals quarantined with infectious disease?
❍ How does staff interact with them? ❍ What about food and medications? ❍ How are family visits managed?
❍ What about electronic visits?
❍ What about ancillary service providers? ❍ How is a hospital transfer or returning
resident handled?
❍ What daily disease transmission
prevention procedures are in place? ❍ Are any vaccines offered on site?
❍ How is staff trained?
❍ What measures must staff take to
ensure the safety of residents?
❍ What procedures should residents be
aware of?
 an adult foster care home, home for the aged, unlicensed assisted living, or even skilled nursing, it is good idea to visit
as many places of interest as possible. Today, most can be visited virtually before venturing out in person, helping to narrow your selections. This allows family to join you from out of the area as well. Review the list of questions and identify those that are most important to you. Schedule a tour. Ask questions. Drop in. Ask more questions. Turn to the housing listings starting on page 16 to help prioritize your facility search.
While you are looking, consider your current needs and how those needs may change in the future. Work with family to set priorities for what is most important to you in a facility or community, and deter- mine what you can afford.
When you have narrowed down your choices, schedule a virtual tour. Next schedule an onsite visit but also come unannounced on a later date. To get
a better idea of what life at the facility
is like, talk with residents and get their impressions. Be sure to take appropriate precautions to prevent risk to residents.
If the facility is licensed you can
ask to see the latest state inspection report. Review the report with the ad- missions person or administrator. Ask for
SENIOR HOUSING DIRECTORY | 2022














































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