Questions to ask when touring a residential care home

• Confirm the license. CDSS stresses making sure a facility is licensed: some people try to provide care without one. Every licensed ARF has a facility page here with its status. If it shows probation, a provisional license or a pending application, read what those statuses mean.
• Read the recent reports. Open the facility's latest inspection and complaint reports and note anything you want to ask about. How to read an ARF inspection report explains the forms.
• Work with your placement agency or advocate. CDSS notes that specialized programs may need a referral: programs certified by the Department of Developmental Services need a regional center referral, and some mental health programs need a referral from a county Mental Health Plan. See ARFs and other options.
• Write down the person's needs. CDSS suggests thinking about services and surroundings, the size and layout that would suit them (for example, whether stairs are a problem), and how close they need to be to family, friends, their place of worship and their doctors.
• Pick several homes. You can search near an address or browse a county.

• Are indoor and outdoor areas clean, safe and in good repair?
• How do staff and clients interact? Are staff friendly, caring and engaged?
• Is there a noticeable staff presence?
• Is the license available to see? CDSS says it should be available on request if it isn't posted in a prominent place.
• If you can, visit at mealtime to see the meal served, and look at the menu: is it balanced, nutritious and varied?

If clients or residents agree to talk, CDSS suggests asking what they like about living there and what could be better, while respecting their time and privacy. You might also ask:

• Do they feel their needs and concerns are being addressed?
• Is there follow-through when they make requests or suggestions?

• May we see your most recent facility evaluation reports? (CDSS lists this as something to ask about.)
• How often is care staff trained, supervised and evaluated?
• What are your medication handling procedures and policies?
• How do you safeguard clients' money, property and valuables?
• What recreational activities, family visits, supervised outings and transportation are available?
• What is your relationship with neighbors, the local fire department, law enforcement and community centers?
• How close are health and mental health service providers?
• Is there a client or family council?
• If anything in the reports concerned you, ask about it directly: what happened, and what changed afterward?

Ask for a copy of the admission agreement to read before you decide. CDSS suggests checking that:

• fees for additional items and services are clearly explained;
• payment options, schedules and refund policies are spelled out;
• it is clear what types of payment the home accepts;
• eviction policies are identified.

This is a legal contract. If anything in it is unclear, it's reasonable to ask for an explanation in writing or to have someone you trust review it.

• Compare your notes across homes while the visits are fresh.
• You can ask the CCLD Regional Office to review a facility's public file, which CDSS says contains any citations, civil penalties and administrative actions.
• Check each home's change history for recent changes of licensee or administrator, and statewide changes on Recent changes.
• If you saw something during a visit that seemed wrong, you can file a complaint with Community Care Licensing, confidentially and anonymously if you prefer.

CDSS's guide also lists advocacy organizations such as Disability Rights California, which it describes as the agency designated under federal law to protect and advocate for the rights of Californians with disabilities, and the California Office of Patients' Rights for people receiving mental health treatment.