Choosing the right Aged Care Facility in Melbourne
Choosing an aged care facility is a significant decision and can be a process filled with emotions and important questions, Where do you start? How do you choose the right care facility?
This comprehensive guide provides a checklist and essential questions to ask during your touring visits, helping you make the best choice for your family.
Understanding Your Needs
Before visiting any facilities, consider your loved one’s needs, including but not limited too:
1. Level of care: Do they require low-level care, high-level care, or specialized care?
2. Medical needs: Are there specific medical conditions that need to be addressed?
3. Personal preferences: What are their interests, hobbies, and social needs?
4. Cultural and spiritual needs: Are there specific cultural or religious considerations?
5. Location preferences: Is it important to be close to family and friends?
6. Budget: What are your financial resources and what level of fees can you afford?
Checklist
Once you’ve identified your needs, create a shortlist of facilities and schedule a tour visit with your loved one. There may also be questions pertinent to your particular circumstance so have a think before you begin your visits and any specific additions you may have. Take your time and write notes straight after your visit so you can look back on later, compare facilities and make a decision. Use this checklist during your tours:
1. Staffing
- Staff-to-resident ratio: Enquire about the ratio and how it varies across different shifts.
- Skill mix: Are registered nurses (RNs) available 24/7? What is the mix of RNs, enrolled nurses (ENs), and personal care assistants (PCAs)?
- Staff qualifications and training: Ask about the general qualifications and training of the staff.
- Staff turnover: High turnover can impact continuity of care. Enquire about staff retention rates.
- Interactions with residents: Observe how staff interact with residents. Are they respectful, compassionate, caring and engaging?
2. Care
- Assessment process: How does the facility assess residents’ care needs? Is it a collaborative process involving family members?
- Personalized care plans: Are individual care plans developed and reviewed?
- Specialized care: Does the facility offer specialized care for conditions like dementia, palliative care, or other complex medical needs?
- Medication management: How is medication managed, stored, and administered?
- Emergency procedures: What are the facility’s protocols for medical emergencies?
- Pain management: How does the facility address pain management for residents?
3. Accommodation and Environment:
- Room options: Enquire about different room types (single, shared) and consider the available space, furniture, and the number of personal belongings allowed if any.
- Cleanliness and maintenance: Observe the overall cleanliness and maintenance of the facility, including resident rooms, and common areas.
- Accessibility: Is the facility accessible for residents with mobility issues?
- Safety and security: What security measures are in place to ensure resident safety?
- Communal areas: Are there comfortable and inviting communal spaces for residents to socialize and eat? Are there private areas for gatherings and events?
- Outdoor areas: Is there a garden or outdoor space where residents can relax and enjoy activities outdoor?
4. Activities & Social Life
- Activity programs: What range of activities are offered? Do they cater to diverse interests and abilities? How often are activities scheduled?
- Social engagement: How does the facility promote social interaction and combat loneliness?
- Cultural and spiritual activities: Are there provisions for residents’ cultural and spiritual needs?
- Outings and excursions: Does the facility organize occasional outings and excursions?
5. Dining
- Meal quality and variety: Observe the dining room during mealtimes. What is the food like? Are there options available for dietary restrictions and preferences? What are the portion sizes?
- Dining atmosphere: Is the dining room a pleasant and social environment?
6. Communication and Family Involvement:
- Communication with families: How does the facility communicate with families about their loved one’s care and well-being?
- Family involvement: How are families encouraged to participate in the resident’s life and care? Are there family meetings or support groups.
Making Your Decision
After visiting several facilities, review your notes and compare your observations. Consider your loved one’s needs, your budget, and your overall impressions of each facility. Don’t hesitate to ask further questions or revisit facilities if needed.
If you would like to organize a tour of one of our homes, please contact us on 1300 104 663.
