License and Certification | Patient Rights/Autonomy | Cleanliness | Care Planning | Staff Attitudes | Costs | Medical | Hospitalization | Pharmacy Services | Therapy Program | Social Services | Accident Prevention | Fire Safety | Bedrooms | Lobby | Hallways | Dining Room and Food | Kitchen | Activities Program | Special Purpose Room | Isolation Room | Toilet Facilities | Grounds | Religious Observances | Grooming | Location | Your Part

Licensure and Certification

• Does the facility have a current license from the state?
• Does the administrator have a current license to practice in New Mexico?
• If needed by the individual, is the facility certified to provide Medicare and/or Medicaid coverage?
• What were the results of the last state survey?
• Does the facility have a formal quality assurance program?

Patient Rights/Autonomy

• Does the facility have a written description of patient rights and responsibilities? If so, ask for a copy.
• Is staff trained to protect patient dignity and privacy?
• What is the facilities policy on the use of physical and chemical restraints?
• If restraining devices are used, has every effort been made to seek alternatives?
• Does the facility have an advanced directives policy?

Cleanliness

• Is the facility as clean as you set your personal standards.
• Is the facility free of unpleasant odors?

Care Planning

• Are residents involved in developing their own care plan? If they want to be can families be involved?
• What kind of services does the facility provide for terminally ill patients and their families?
• Does the facility have an Alzheimer's disease program?
• Does the facility have an AIDS program?
• Does the facility have a subacute care program?

Staff Attitudes

• Does staff show interest in, affection, and respect for individual residents?
• Is staff courteous to residents?
• Does staff respond quickly to residents? calls for assistance?
• Does staff interact respectfully and in a friendly manner with other staff?
• Is the administrator available to answer questions, hear complaints, or discuss problems?

Costs

• Are all the services the resident requires conferred in the basic daily charge?
• If not, is a list of specific services not covered in the basic rate available? (Some homes have schedules covering therapies, beautician services, specialty foods, etc.)
• Are advanced payments returned if the patient leaves the facility?

Medical

• Is a physician available in an emergency?
• Can a resident use his or her personal physician?
• Is regular medical attention assured?
• How are medical records and plans of care maintained?
• Can residents and families be involved in plans for treatment if they want?
• Is confidentiality of medical records assured?
• Are other medical services (dentists, podiatrists, and optometrists) available?
• Will the patient's personal physician be notified in an emergency?
• Does the facility periodically report to the patient's personal physician?

Hospitalization

• Does the facility have an arrangement with a nearby hospital (in case of emergency)?
• Is emergency transportation readily available?
• Does the facility make accommodations for holding beds when residents are hospitalized?

Pharmacy Services

• How are routine and emergency drugs made available?
• How often does a pharmacist review resident drug regimens?
• Is a pharmacist available on-site for staff and residents?

Therapy Program

• Is there a physical therapy program available under the direction of a qualified physical therapist?
• Are services of an occupational therapist and speech pathologist available?

Social Services

• Is a social worker available on-site to assist residents and families?

Accident Prevention

• Is the facility well lit inside and out?
• Is the facility free of hazards underfoot?
• Are chairs sturdy and not easily tipped?
• Are handrails in hallways and grab bars in bathrooms?

Fire Safety

• Does the facility meet federal and state codes?
• Are exits clearly marked and unobstructed?
• Are written emergency evacuation plans posted with a floor plan throughout the facility?
• How often are fire drills conducted?
• Are exit doors unlocked on the inside?
• Are doors to stairways kept closed?

Bedrooms

• Do bedrooms open into the hall?
• Does each resident's room have a window?
• Are rooms limited to four beds or less?
• Is there a privacy curtain for each bed?
• Is there a nurse call bell by each bed?
• Is fresh drinking water beside each bed?
• Is there at least one comfortable chair per resident?
• Is there a clothes closet or separate set of drawers for each resident?
• Is there enough space for a wheelchair to maneuver?
• How are roommates selected?
• Is there easy access to each bed?
• Are patients encouraged to decorate rooms with personal items such as pictures, crafts, etc.?

Lobby

• Is the atmosphere welcoming?
• Is the furniture attractive and comfortable?
• Is there a bulletin board with the activities schedule posted?
• Are certificates and licenses on display?

Hallways

• Are halls large enough for two wheelchairs to pass easily?
• Do halls have hand grip railings?
• Are halls well lighted?

Dining Room and Food

• Is the dining area attractive and inviting?
• Are tables convenient for those in wheelchairs?
• Is food tasty and attractively served?
• Is there adequate time to eat meals?
• Do meals match posted menu?
• Are those needing help receiving it?
• Does a dietician plan menus for patients on special diets?
• Are personal likes and dislikes taken into consideration?
• Does the menu vary from meal to meal?
• Are snacks available?
• Is food delivered to patients unable or unwilling to eat in the dining room?
• Are warm foods served warm?
• Does staff assist residents who need help with eating?

Kitchen

• Is the food preparation area separate from the dishwashing and garbage areas?
• Is food needing refrigeration not standing on counters?
• Does kitchen help observe sanitation rules?

Activities Program

• How are patient preferences observed?
• What kind of group and individual activities available?
• How are residents encourage to participate?
• Are patients involved with the surrounding community?
• Do volunteers work with residents?
• Are outside trips planned?
• Does the facility have an active residents council? How do residents become involved in the group?

Activity Rooms

• Are rooms available for patient activities?
• Is activity equipment (such as games, easels, yarn, kiln, etc.) available?
• Are residents using available equipment?

Special Purpose Room

• Are rooms set aside for physical examinations or therapy?
• Are rooms available for private visits with family and friends?

Isolation Room

• Does the facility have at least one bed and bathroom for residents with contagious illness?

Toilet Facilities

• Are toilets convenient to bedrooms? Are they easy for a resident in a wheelchair to use?
• Is there a sink in each bathroom?
• Are nurse call bells near each toilet?
• Are hand grips on or near each toilet?
• Do bath tubs and showers have non-slip surfaces and hand grips?

Grounds

• Are the grounds easily accessible for the handicapped?
• Is outdoor furniture available for residents and visitors?
• Are walkways free of hazardous objects?
• Is there adequate parking?

Religious Observances

• Are arrangements made for residents to worship as they please?

Grooming

• Is assistance in bathing and grooming available?
• Are barbers and beauticians available?
• Are basic personal laundry services available?

Location

• Is the facility convenient for frequent visits of family and friends?
• Is the facility near a cooperating hospital?
• Is the facility convenient for the resident's personal physician?
• Is the facility near a hospital where the resident's personal physician practices?

Your Part

If you are selecting a nursing facility for a loved one, are you:

• Involving this person in the choice?
• Prepared to ease the resident's transition to the nursing facility by being with them on admission day and staying several hours to get them settled?
• Ready to visit the resident frequently and encourage friends to make similar visits?

Return to Top

License and Certification | Patient Rights/Autonomy | Cleanliness | Care Planning | Staff Attitudes | Costs | Medical | Hospitalization | Pharmacy Services | Therapy Program | Social Services | Accident Prevention | Fire Safety | Bedrooms | Lobby | Hallways | Dining Room and Food | Kitchen | Activities Program | Special Purpose Room | Isolation Room | Toilet Facilities | Grounds | Religious Observances | Grooming | Location | Your Part