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I started my search online going over the websites and what different ALs & MCs said they offered; reviewed room and/or apartment sizes, looked up inspection problems, I called and/or emailed requesting more information including staff and resident turnover rates, death rates, and whether a resident could stay if they eventually needed Medicaid. If the facility didn't provide most of the requested information I marked them off my list. Then I made a ranked list of places to actually visit. I did my first visit and meeting with the admittance director at lunch and discussed Dad's challenges and how MC would handled them, then came back and observed morning routines, and a check late afternoon. Once I identified places where I thought Dad would be safe, I considered what amenities were offered that my Dad would appreciate. Interesting to me was in my area, what I considered the "better" facilities were not the most expensive ones. The most expensive ones not only had the most consumer complaints, they also had the most state inspection problems.
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My brother and I toured 15 facilities, narrowed it down to 2, we toured again and had lunch there, asked a bunch of more questions and made our decision. We also checked all client reviews and most important went to the state site as they have to, by law, post all violations and the conclusion of any violations.
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thepianist Jun 2019
Dolly you have done what you can to ensure your family member is in a good place. I hope you realize that those websites that post violations and corrections never tell the full story. Even client review may not tell what you need to know. Get to know the families of other residents and hear what they have to say. Band together to move management in the right direction. Good luck with your efforts.
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Ask yourself when you’re visiting facilities if you’d like to stay there yourself. My LO is in a very pleasant local residence, and she’s well cared for.

No matter what time of day I visit, it is calm and pleasant.

Stop by at meal times, earlyish in the morning, just before bed.
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Next time, tour facilities by yourself as you are able. Do not count on anyone else. Use your eyes, ears and nose to help you decide. Observe staff-patient interaction. Is the staff attentive, pleasant and kind or abrupt, loud and hurried? Does there seem to be enough staff around and do they seem busy tending to residents? Or, are they conversing among themselves at the nurse’s station? Are there a lot of unanswered buzzers going off? Do they smile and great you? Do the residents in the hallways seem well-cared for and clean? Are the rooms clean and bright? Does the facility smell clean? An overpowering odor of “bathroom” or disinfectant that pervades the facility is a red flag.

Trust your gut. When you tour a facility, you will be able to tell in a few minutes if it’s a good one or not. After you place her, visit at different times of the day and different days of the week. Get to know the staff. Call care meetings for her regularly and ask for a monthly rundown of her scripts.

Good luck. Let us know. .
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anonymous912123 Jun 2019
You made a good point, we walked into 2 places, sniffed and looked around the foyer and left.
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