Senior Living Community Evaluation Guide and Checklist

L I F E C A R E S E R V I C E S

Phone: 866 -775-0739 • l i f ecareserv ices-sen ior l iv ing .com

4 0 0 L O C U S T S T R E E T S U I T E 8 2 0 | D E S M O I N E S , I A 5 0 3 0 9

Leaders in Senior Living[subheader text?]

Introducing Life Care Services and Our Premier Senior Living CommunitiesSince you’re considering a senior living community, we’d like to introduce ourselves. We are Life Care Services, An LCS® Company, the third-largest manager of rental senior living communities and continuing care retirement communities nationwide. Resident satisfaction is our highest priority and we’re proud of our record. We invite you to experience one of our communities for yourself. Below you’ll find contact information and links to the Life Care Services communities in the Dallas area. Please feel free to reach out to us anytime. We’d love to have you come by for a visit!

1 Signature Pointe14655 Preston RoadDallas, TX 75254866-409-5903www.signaturepointelcs.com

2 Walnut Place5515 Glen Lakes DriveDallas, TX 75231214-972-3587www.walnutplacelcs.com

3 Autumn Leaves1010 Emerald Isle DriveDallas, TX 75218214-771-9145www.autumnleaveslcs.com

4 Monticello West5114 McKinney AvenueDallas, TX 75205214-972-3267www.monticellowestlcs.com

5 Parkwood Retirement Community2700 Parkview LaneBedford, TX 76022817-270-9329www.parkwoodretirementlcs.com

6 Parkwood Healthcare2600 Parkview LaneBedford, TX 76022817-270-9331www.parkwoodcarelcs.com

7 The Ivy of McKinney3392 Medical Center DriveMcKinney, TX 75069972-428-4196www.theivyofmckinney.com

8 The Delaney at Lake Waco2121 W Highway 6Waco, TX 76710254-236-3114www.thedelaneyatlakewaco.com

Choosing a retirement community is a big decision, and the more informed you are, the more satisfied you’ll be. We hope you’ll find our Guide and Checklist to be a handy and useful tool to help you evaluate all of the communities that you visit.

l i f eca rese rv ices -sen io r l i v i ng .com

Getting ready to tour a senior living community? Below are some key things you’ll want to keep in mind.

Cleanliness/MaintenanceTake a close look as you do your walk-through. Do the common areas, dining room, halls and units appear fresh, clean and well- maintained? Are there any strange odors? Is there plenty of natural and artificial light? How do the outdoor spaces and parking area look? Are the grounds inviting and attractive?

SurroundingsMake sure your tour includes a view of the community’s outdoor areas. Are there paths to walk or places to sit, relax and socialize? Does the area feel safe? Also, consider the broader location of the community. Is it close to grocery and department stores, restaurants, parks, and entertainment and cultural options of particular interest? Is it close to your or your loved one’s preferred place of worship?

Staff/PersonnelThe attitude and friendliness of the staff can play a key role in the day-to-day engagement and happiness of the residents of a senior living community. So, as you meet with staff, what are your impressions? Are you warmly greeted? Does the team appear to get along with each other? When they interact with residents, do they give them their full attention? Does the staff seem to know residents’ names? Find out about the staff to resident ratio, how staffing patterns are established, and about the experience of the staff. Is it a mix of seasoned pros and energetic, young employees?

ManagementMake sure to get an introduction to the management team. If possible, speak with the community’s executive director, the director of activities and events, and those who manage healthcare and nursing. Does management conduct resident satisfaction surveys? If so, ask to see them. You should also inquire about residents’ involvement in community management. Is there a resident council that works with the management team to identify opportunities and solutions? It’s also helpful to speak with personnel in the business office to learn about terms of the contract, rules of the community, rate structures, and payment requirements.

l i f eca rese rv ices -sen io r l i v i ng .com

Living SpaceLiving spaces in senior living communities can vary widely depending on level of care. With that in consideration, judge accordingly. In general, you can look for things like individual unit climate control, availability of natural light, private locking doors, handrails in the bathroom, an emergency alert system, available storage, cleanliness of the unit, and whether décor and colors have been updated/upgraded (carpets, walls and countertops or surfaces). In an independent living apartment you can also evaluate kitchen size.

Safety and SecuritySafety and security is obviously important in a senior living community. You’ll want to explore what the procedures are. How do residents contact staff if an emergency occurs in living areas? Is there an emergency alert system? Is staff available to help 24 hours a day? Do staffing patterns differ at night? Is there a registered nurse onsite? Are bathrooms fully accessible with convenient grab bars? How safe are the community grounds? Is there a sign in/sign out desk for visitors?

Health ServicesWhat kind of health services does the community offer? Does it provide multiple levels of care, such as assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing care or rehabilitation on campus? What social, recreational, religious and cultural activities are available to residents in advanced levels of care? Is preventative health care from eye doctors, dentists, podiatrists, etc. available? What about access to mental health care? If the community offers memory care, what particular programs or philosophy is employed? Are specific assisted living services, such as dressing, grooming and medication management, available to be received in independent living residences?

Amenities and ServicesAmenities and services can vary widely from community to community. Some things to consider are whether utilities are paid, if the community offers shuttle transportation, and what laundry services are provided. Also, is parking provided for residents and guests? What about housekeeping and linen services? Is the community pet-friendly? Is there an elevator and full handicap accessibility? Are religious or worship services available onsite?

DiningMake arrangements prior to your visit to have a meal at the community. You’ll have the opportunity to try out the cuisine for yourself and meet some of the residents in an informal setting. Ask them their opinions about the dining experience at the community. Chances are, they’ll be honest! Also, you’ll want to find out about the dining plan, hours, procedures, options (do they serve 3 meals a day?), and how the community approaches serving residents with specific dietary restrictions.

ActivitiesA great way to learn about community activities is to review the monthly calendar of events. Do the activities seem to match your or your loved one’s interests? What activities happen daily, weekly, or monthly? Are there trips and outings? How well are activities attended? A good way to get a feel for how the community—and particularly the staff—handles activities is to watch one in action, or even better, participate in one if you can.

l i f eca rese rv ices -sen io r l i v i ng .com

AmbianceAfter taking so many specific criteria into consideration, it can still come down to this. What does the community feel like to you? Look beyond the lobby décor, the services and amenities, the activities, and the manicured grounds. Can you see yourself or your loved one living here? Do you find it truly inviting—a place where you’ll feel comfortable and at ease? Really consider whether this is a place where you’ll be able to enjoy your life and be happy.

Notes:

Senior Living Community Evaluation ChecklistTake this handy checklist with you each time you tour a senior living community, then compare your notes to help you evaluate which is best for you. Check all that apply.

Cleanliness/MaintenanceHalls and common area cleanDining areas cleanLiving units clean and well maintainedOutdoor spaces well-maintained and attractive

Living SpaceFull kitchenKitchenetteEmergency Alert SystemPrivate locking doorEasily accessible cabinets and storageHandrails in bathroomAdequate storageIndividual climate control

ManagementSpoke with Executive DirectorSpoke with Activities DirectorReviewed satisfaction surveysThere is a Resident’s CouncilMet with Business Office

Safety & SecurityProcedure in place for resident emergencies24 hour staffingNurse onsiteCommon areas maintained for safety /trip hazards, etc.Sign in/sign out desk

SurroundingsOutdoor walking paths/exercise opportunities onsiteOutdoor relaxation areas onsiteGrocery nearbyShopping nearbyRestaurants nearbyEntertainment options nearbyPlace of worship nearby

ActivitiesMet with Activities DirectorOffers some of my favorite activitiesObserved/participated in activityOffsite trips and outings

AmbianceI can picture living hereI have reservations about living here

DiningI ate a meal here. I enjoyed it.I ate a meal here. I did not care for it.I did not eat a meal here.Flexible dining programFormal dining areaOther areas to dine and socialize (cocktail hour, etc.)Special menus for restricted diets

Amenities & ServicesPaid utilitiesScheduled transportationLaundryHousekeeping serviceLinen servicePet-friendlyElevatorDesignated parking spacesOnsite worship services

Staff/PersonnelI was greeted with a smileTeam members seem collaborativeStaff is warm and friendly with residents

Phone: 866 -775-0739l i f ecareserv ices-sen ior l iv ing .com

Met with care staff Mental health services available Yes___ No___Preventative health care available (eye doctor, podiatrist, etc.) Yes___ No____Activities available to those in advanced levels of care: _________________________________________________

Assisted LivingMemory CareSkilled NursingRehabilitation

Health ServicesConfirm the levels of care available at the community and be sure these options match your needs.