Looking for eldercare? Use these checklists

Placement service checklist

If you decide to use an eldercare-placement company, here are key questions to consider:

×Does the company inspect and check enforcement histories of adult family homes or other facilities?

Some companies refer the elderly to any adult home that pays them a commission, without doing any screening.

×Are commission rates disclosed?

Be wary of companies that mask commissions. Most charge adult homes the equivalent of a month's rent for a resident.

×Will the company meet with you to assess medical needs?

Some services simply provide lists of adult homes in your area that have vacancies. Determine if you prefer face-to-face meetings to get answers to your questions.

×Does the company arrange tours of adult homes?

Some require families to arrange their own visits. Others accompany families on visits.

×Who does the medical assessment?

State law requires seniors to obtain a medical assessment before being admitted to an adult home. Make sure a qualified nurse or doctor does the assessment. Check it for accuracy.

Adult family home checklist

Here are the steps to check the quality of an adult family home:

×Check enforcement history.

Recent enforcement actions are found at a Department of Social and Health Services website: www.aasa.dshs.wa.gov/Lookup/AFHRequestv3.aspOr call a DSHS regional office: King County: 253-234-6001; Kitsap, Pierce counties: 253-983-3849; Island, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Whatcom counties: 360-651-6850.

×Does the owner live in the home? Who actually provides care?

Many owners do not live in their adult home but employ a manager to oversee day-to-day care. It's important to meet the actual caregivers and ask about their training and qualifications.

×What are the scheduled activities?

Access to daily activities is important for active seniors. Does the home provide transportation to stores or recreation? Does it schedule activities such as exercise classes and games?

×What are the staffing levels?

Staffing is a critical measure of good care. Determine whether the home has 24-hour staffing. If not, how does a disabled or bedridden resident get to a restroom at night? How does a resident summon help at

night?

×Conduct unscheduled tours.

Visit on a normal day and observe how many staffers are present. Is the refrigerator stocked with healthy foods? Do residents appear happy?

×Ask for references.

Collect information from families of former residents.