Ombudsman Program - Choosing a Care Community

A Simplified Guide to Choosing a Long-Term Care Community

Where to Start

Each care community in your area has its own culture, strengths, and weaknesses. Once it is certain that long-term care is necessary, first determine which qualities of a care community are most important for meeting the needs and expectations of the resident.

Take the resident to visit potential homes before a decision is made. This can give you insight into how the care community would meet the resident’s needs and may ease your fears as well.

Visit as many homes as possible that fit your criteria. During these visits, sit and observe how staff interact with residents and speak with residents to get a full understanding of life in the home.

You can also visit homes a second time during the weekend or evening to ensure that staff and services are offered at the same rate.

Quality Issues

To get a fuller picture, you can ask the following questions of residents, families, and staff. You can also contact the long-term care ombudsman in your community, as they advocate for long-term care residents and will have a directory of facilities in your area as well as information about trends.

When visiting, use your senses:

• Are there warm interactions among staff and residents?
• Does the administrator and management staff seem to know the residents and their needs?
• Are rooms, hallways, and meal tables clean?
• Do residents look clean, well-groomed, well-fed, and free from bruises?
• Do many residents seem alert and happy?
• Is the home free from any unpleasant smells?
• Do you notice a quick response to call lights?
• Are there residents calling out? If so, do they get an appropriate response from staff?
• Do the meals look appetizing?
• Are residents engaged in meaningful activities by themselves or with others?

Questions to Ask Staff

• Does each shift have enough help to be able to care for residents?
• What activities are residents involved in?
• Are staff permanently assigned to residents?
• How much training is given to staff?
• How do the staff ensure family and resident participation in care planning meetings?
• What does the facility do to encourage employee retention and continuity?
• How long has the current administrator been at the facility?

• Has the facility undergone any recent changes in ownership or management?
• Does the facility provide transportation to community activities?
• What kind of therapy is available to residents?
• Is there a resident and/or a family council?
• What happens if someone has a complaint or problem?
• Are residents involved in roommate selection?
• Who decides where residents sit for meals?
• Does the facility employ a professionally qualified social worker?

Questions to Ask Residents

• Does the facility respect the resident’s wishes about their schedule (e.g. bedtime, baths, meals)?
• Is attention given to residents at night if they are awake?
• Does the resident have the same nursing assistant most days?
• Is staff responsive to resident requests?

• Are snacks available to residents?
• Do residents participate in care planning conferences?
• Has the resident had missing possessions?
• Who handles resident or family member concerns? Is that person responsive?
• What is the best/worst thing about living in the home?

Additional Information

Copies of state inspection reports from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) are available in the facility
itself, from the ombudsman, or on the CDPHE website. These can be useful tools in making decision about care. While they are a
snapshot in time, they also show trends and concerns that may continue to come up for residents.

To contact the Larimer County Ombudsman Program, please call 970-498-7754 or email ombudsman@larimer.org.