Home Tour Checklist
When making the choice to move into long term care, it’s important to see the home for yourself. What should you be looking for?
Revera has prepared the following checklist to help you gather and reflect on the information you need to make the right decision. Use it when visiting homes you’re considering, to help you ask the best questions, assess the most important features, and make the most useful comparisons.
Download a copy of this checklist.
Care and Respect
- Does the resident, or his or her family, participate in developing the plan of care?
- Is a registered nurse available on each shift?
- Do professionals and other staff work together to evaluate each resident’s needs and interests?
- Do residents seem to enjoy being with staff?
- Do staff members know the residents by name?
- Do staff respond quickly to a resident’s call for assistance?
- Does the home offer in-house clinics, e.g. for dental, vision and hearing?
- Does the home offer programs to support restoring lost physical functioning?
- Does the home provide dementia care?
- Does the home have an arrangement with a nearby hospital?
Choice
- Does the home offer a variety of recreation and wellness activities?
- Are activities tailored to the residents’ individual needs and interests?
- Does the home offer a variety of food choices as part of their culinary program?
- Does the home have a Residents’ Council? If so, does it influence decisions about resident life?
- Does the home have a Family Council? If so, does it influence decisions about resident life?
Comfort
- Do residents have private areas to visit with family, visitors, or physicians?
- Are there outdoor areas accessible for residents to use?
- Is the outside of the home clean and well maintained?
- Is the inside of the home clean and well maintained?
- Does the home have handrails in hallways and grab bars in bathrooms?
- Is it easy for wheelchairs to move around the home?
- When floors are cleaned, are warning signs displayed or areas blocked off to prevent accidents?
- Are bathrooms conveniently located to bedrooms?
- Are residents encouraged to have personal items in their rooms (e.g., pictures, furniture)?
- Do the bedrooms have accessible storage areas for personal items?
- Do the dining rooms offer a warm atmosphere?