On the website of most states, a listing of adult care homes can be found by clicking through the links from “Human Services” and “Senior Services.” A seeker can also call the adult care home licensing office and request a list of adult care homes in the area of interest, or hire a placement service.
Placement services work on commission, charging the owner/operator anywhere from 50% to 80% of the first month’s rent. As a result, they will recommend the care homes that charge the most in the given price range. The only problem with that is high cost does not necessarily denote good care.
Try These Home Searching Tips
Regardless of which method is used to compile possible homes, the following tips could be useful in narrowing the selection.
When visiting an adult care home, go unannounced. In Oregon, adult care homes are supposed to have an “open door” policy; that is, anyone can simply walk in, and after qualifying themselves, look the home over. Relatives of the residents can simply walk in. If you are asked to return at a set time, then cross that home off of the list. Adult care homes should have nothing to hide and be maintained so as to be ready for visitors at any time during the day.
On entering the home take a deep breath, if the home has a urine or feces smell lurking in the background, turn around, walk out, and cross it off of the list.
The best time to visit is between 4pm and 6pm - dinnertime. A visit during this time will tell the visitor what type of food the owner serves, if the meals are balanced, and if the Resident Manager and owner care enough to prepare the food for an elderly palate. Steamed vegetables are healthy, yes, but those who have tried to eat something crunchy toothless or with dentures that hurt the gums understand why steamed vegetables get pushed aside.
Are the residents eating together at a table? After eating, do they talk and laugh with one another? Happiness and contentment in an adult care home is no easy task. Each resident is someone who spent decades building a home, raising children, and filling a house with memories. Because they age and can no longer care for themselves, they are taken from their home of memories and put into a room in a house with other people they don’t know and may not like. In addition, they must endure being touched in private places by a stranger. Add to these feelings the feelings of guilt the family members feel for placing their loved one into the care of someone else and the feat of happiness and contentment in an adult care home can be fully appreciated. The perceived happiness shared by the residents is an indication the owner has taken care to be sure each person accepted into the home has a personality that blends with the other residents.
During the visit, look into the faces of the residents. Happiness and sadness are two emotions that are hard to hide. One person is understandable, but if everyone is sitting around moping then cross the home off of the list.
The owner or the Resident Manager usually gives a tour of the home. During the tour take note if the Residents’ Bill of Rights is dominantly displayed. When the tour guide comes to a resident’s room take note if the guide asks the resident for permission to show his/her room. This little courtesy means the residents’ rights are taken seriously. How do the rooms look? Are the rooms clean? Are the beds made? More importantly, does it look as if the resident of that room is loved? Are there items of memories?
In many adult care homes there is at least one resident whose family very seldom comes to visit, if at all. A sign of how much the owner and Resident Manager care about those in their care is if this room too has items of endearment.
The State of Oregon has a guide to aid in searching for an adult foster home in Oregon that could prove useful in other states.
It Is A Business After All, Albeit A Home Business
Operating an adult care home is the business of tender loving care but it doesn’t have to look and feel like a business. The owners who have conquered the task of making their adult care home business look, feel, and smell like a home are the owners whose home(s) are always full with waiting lists.
Additional Reading:
Adult Care Homes - Alternatives To Nursing Homes
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