Guidelines from CALA

Guidelines from CALA

According to the California Assisted Living Association (CALA), the following are things to consider as you assess an Assisted Living community:

Atmosphere

• As you arrive at the residence, do you like its location and outward appearance?
• As you enter the lobby and tour the residence, is the decor attractive and homelike?
• Does the administrator/staff call residents by name and interact warmly with them as you tour the residence?
• Do residents socialize with each other and appear happy and comfortable?
• Are you able to talk with residents about how they like the residence and staff?
• Do the residents seem to be appropriate housemates for you or your loved one?

Physical Features

• Is the floor plan easy to follow?
• Does the residence have good natural and artificial lighting?
• Is the residence clean, free of odors and appropriately heated/cooled?
• Does the residence meet local and/or state licensing requirements?
• Does the residence have sprinklers and clearly marked exits?
• If the residence provides dementia care, does it have a means of security if a resident wanders?
• Are residents able to bring their own furnishings for their unit and what may they bring? What is provided?
• Do all units have a telephone and cable TV and how is billing handled?
• Is a kitchen area/unit provided with a refrigerator, sink and cooking element?
• May residents keep food in their units?
• May residents smoke in their units? In public spaces?

Contracts, Costs & Finances

• Review the contractual agreement that discloses services, fees, as well as admission and discharge provisions.
• What is included in the monthly fee? (Ask for a written copy)
• Is there a procedure to pay for additional services when the services are needed on a temporary basis?
• What happens when a resident’s needs change?
• Are there different costs for various levels or categories of services?
• Under what circumstances might the fees change?
• When may a contract be terminated and what are refund policies?
• Are there any government, private or corporate programs available to help cover the cost of services to the resident?
• Do billing, payment and credit policies seem fair and reasonable?
• May a resident handle their own finances with staff assistance if able or should a family member or outside party be designated to do so?

Medication & Health Care

• What is the policy regarding storage of medication, assistance with administration of medications, training and supervision of staff and record keeping?
• Is self-administration of medication allowed?
• Are staff available to assist residents who experience memory, orientation, of judgment losses?
• What is the procedure for responding to a resident’s medical emergency?
• To what extent are medical services available, and how are these services provided?

Services

• Obtain a list of services available.
• What is the community’s process for assessing a potential resident’s need for services?
• Are additional services available if the resident’s needs change?
• Are there special programs for memory impaired residents and those with dementia?
• Are there fees to provide transportation to doctors’ offices, the hairdresser, shopping and other activities desired by residents?
• Can residents arrange for transportation on fairly short notice?

Staff

• What training and qualifications do the staff have?
• Observe staff and resident interactions. Are they positive?
• Did you receive a warm greeting from staff welcoming you to the residence?
• Do the staff members treat each other in a professional manner?
• Are the staff members that you pass during your tour friendly to you?

Social & Recreational Activities

• What is the activities program?
• Do residents participate in activities outside of the residence in the neighboring community?
• Do volunteers, including family members, come into the residence to help with or conduct programs?
• Are residents’ pets allowed in the residence? Who is responsible for their care?
• Does the residence have its own pets?

Food Service

• Does the residence provide three nutritionally balanced meals a day, seven days a week?
• Are snacks available?
• May a resident request special foods?
• May residents eat meals in their units?
• May meals be provided at a time a resident would like or are there set times for meals?

Make Sure You…

• Know what the service package includes
• Know all costs associated with your service package
• Know about additional services and their associated fees
• Know the circumstances under which fees might change
• Contact the State Licensing entity ( www.ccld.ca.gov ) for information on the community’s license
• Understand the services planning process
• Understand the admission agreement
• Know about the criteria and policies associated with discharge
• Understand resident rights and responsibilities