Ask yourself the following questions:

What do you see?

·        Does the landscaping look neat and clean?  Is the parking lot clean?

·        Are the clients dressed in street clothes?

·        Are the clients engaged in various one-on-one and/or group activities?  Do the activities you see occurring match the activities listed on the posted monthly activity?

·        If visiting during a meal time, does the food look appetizing?

·        Are the employees dressed neatly?  Can you tell who is an employee and who is a visitor?

·        Is the adult day care center well-lighted?

·        Are the floors clean – carpet or tile?

·        Is the furniture in the lounge areas, dining room, and resident rooms clean?

·        Are the bathrooms clean?  Are the bathing areas clean?  Are there grab bars?

·        Does the adult day care center have working smoke detectors?  Does the adult day care center have a sprinkler system?

What do you hear?

·        Are the clients talking to each other?  Are the clients and employees talking to each other in a caring manner? 

·        Do you hear clients participating in the various activities?  Are they having a good time?     

What do you smell?

·        Are there food aromas coming from the kitchen?

·        Do you smell fresh flowers?

·        Is the adult day care center free of unpleasant odors?  If you do smell an odor, is it fresh or stale?

What do you feel/touch?

·        How does the adult day care center’s atmosphere feel (calm, soothing, uplifting, etc.)?

·        Is the room air temperature comfortable throughout the building?

·        Is the furniture in the lounge areas, dining room, and resident rooms clean to the touch?

What do you taste?

·        How does the food taste?

·        Is the food at the appropriate temperature? 

·        Does the adult day care center serve food from different cultures?

Helpful Tips

• SHOP for the adult day care center that meets the needs of your loved one - Visit various adult day care center more than once and at different times of the day.

• Talk to the clients and staff – What do they like about this adult day care center?  What concerns do they have about the adult day care center?

• What services does the adult day care center provide?  Does the adult day care provide transportation?

• Ask for a copy of the current monthly activity calendar

• Ask for a copy of the weekly menu –  Are the food preferences of each resident honored?  Is there an alternate food item available, if the resident does not want a food item listed on the menu?

• How much does it cost to attend the adult day care center?  Are clients expected to pay a daily or monthly rate?   Are clients expected to pay a daily or monthly rate?  Does the adult day care center have a sliding scale fee schedule? 

• What situations would necessitate the adult day care center to discontinue the client’s adult day care attendance on a temporary or permanent basis?

• How does the adult day care center screen potential employees?

• Ask about in-service training for employees – What topics are discussed?

• Does the facility allow smoking?  If so, where is the designated smoking area?

• Ask about the adult day care center’s security system –  Does the adult day care center have secured outdoor areas or courtyards?  Are the exit doors locked?  If so, what time are the doors locked?

• Ask about the adult day care center’s disaster plans – fire, tornado, bomb threat, etc.  If a disaster occurs that requires client relocation, where will the clients be taken?