County of Monmouth

Tips on how to select a long term care center.

Selecting the right Long Term Care Facility for a loved one is never an easy task... Several factors come into play when making your choice...Here in Monmouth County, as is the case throughout New Jersey,...every licensed Long Term Care Center must meet stringent health care standards. Of course, no two facilities are alike.

Financial consideration is important in your selection process, and often the process takes time. Your first step is to call the Monmouth County Department of Human Services Division of Social Services to determine if your loved one is eligible for Medicaid benefits. You will request eligibility documents. Their telephone number is (732) 431-6000.

Next is pre-admission screening for resident placement.  Pre-admission screening is required for all prospective long-term care residents whose nursing home expenses may be subsidized by Medicaid.

Your loved one's physician should also be contacted to authorize admission for medical reasons...If your loved one is in a hospital, contact the Hospital Social Services Department for advice and assistance regarding the Medicaid eligibility process.

Quality of life is paramount when considering long term care. That's why the Monmouth County Freeholder Board has developed Monmouth County Care Centers. Long term health care needs demand a facility best suited to handle the hour by hour care required...When considering a facility, you need to consider the level of medical care required; such as, catastrophic illness causing a major life style change...like stroke...or multiple trauma, debilitation or chronic illness.

Care Centers like John L. Montgomery and Geraldine L. Thompson Divisions must not only provide outstanding nursing and restorative care, but also bring diversified residential activities, including social, physical, creative, educational, cultural, spiritual and community services...A "Homelike Environment".

Other critical considerations are convenience and affordability. In Monmouth County our facilities deliver state of the art services at reasonable rates.

Once you have narrowed your choices, review the list with your health care professional, and discuss it with family members. When you have narrowed the choice, ask for a tour, and look at the services offered. Investigate the facility's Resident Bill of Rights, planned menus and resident activities.

When you have made your choice, be sure to review the Admission Agreement carefully. It will provide the daily rate, types and amounts of charges, deposit and refund practices. Most importantly, your personal contact and emotional support to your loved one remain the most important considerations. Find out about visiting hours and remain in close communication with all of your health care providers.

Please call the Monmouth County Care Centers at 732-938-3987 for your tour of our "Care Centers in Excellence".

Monmouth County Care Centers has provided a checklist for use when selecting a care center
Feel free to print this list to use as a reference.  An Adobe Acrobat version is also included.

Social Services

  • Is there a full-time social worker?
  • Is a social worker available off-hours or during a visit to meet with families?
  • Does the facility run support groups or counseling sessions for residents and families?
  • Does the social worker help residents and family members resolve problems?
  • Is the social worker certified or licensed by the New Jersey Board of Social Work Examiners?
  • Does the social worker have a private office for confidential talks?

Activities

  • Is the activity schedule posted and does it reflect the interests of the prospective resident?
  • Do residents help plan and partake in a variety of activities?
  • Is there a professionally staffed beauty / barber shop available at least once a week?
  • Does the facility have a volunteer program with volunteers visiting at least once a week?
  • Are there activities in the evening?
  • Are there outdoor activities and opportunities to garden?
  • Is there a program that brings children to visit?
  • Is there a resident council that meets at least monthly?
  • Are religious services of the prospective resident's faith held on the premises?
  • Can arrangements be made to attend outside religious services?
  • Is there a place for private visits?
  • Does the setting have a full-time activities director?

Staff and Residents

  • Does your guide know most of the residents?
  • Do the residents know your guide?
  • Is the staff interacting with the residents?
  • Does the staff treat the residents with dignity and respect?
  • Have the administrator and staff treated you courteously and pleasantly?
  • Have the administrator and staff provided satisfactory answers to your questions?
  • Are staff clean and neatly dressed?
  • Are most residents out of bed, dressed, and groomed?
  • Are most residents out of their rooms?
  • Are residents comfortably placed in chairs or beds?
  • Are residents' requests for assistance answered promptly?
  • Do residents appear to be receiving good care?

Nursing and Medical Care

  • Is a registered professional nurse (RN) on duty?
  • Is there a special room for physical therapy?
  • Does the facility provide the following in-house:  Dentist? Podiatrist? Pharmacy? Eye Care specialist?
  • Are most residents free of physical restraints that hold them in chairs or beds? (You may ask to see the facility's policy on the use of restraints.)
  • Are most residents free of medications that control their behavior or make them drowsy or inactive?

Bedrooms and Bathrooms

  • Are the rooms attractive and comfortable?
  • Are the rooms clean and well-lit?
  • Have the residents decorated rooms with personal items?
  • Do all rooms have closets and storage space?
  • Does each room have a sink?
  • Does each room have a mirror?
  • Do residents have a choice of rooms?
  • Can every resident have a private television?
  • Does every room have an adjoining bathroom?
  • Do bathrooms have grab bars and non-slip floors?
  • Are the bathrooms shared by a maximum of four residents?
  • Are residents allowed to bring some of their own furniture and possessions?

Buildings and Grounds

  • Are the grounds attractive and well maintained?
  • Are the parking areas well lit and clean?
  • Are there outdoor areas where residents can sit? Are they being used?
  • Is there a garden for residents to use? Is it used by residents?
  • Are the sidewalks and entrances designed for wheelchair use?
  • Is the building attractive and well maintained?
  • Are the lobby and other areas attractively decorated, clean, and well maintained?
  • Do the residents use the lobby and public areas?
  • Is there an automatic fire sprinkler system?
  • Does the facility have more than one floor?
  • Is the facility relatively free of unpleasant odors?
  • Is the facility generally free of loud noises and raised voices?
  • Is the facility air-conditioned?

Your Loved Ones Should Have The Best Care Possible . . .
Call Our Center Nearest You To Find Out More About Quality Health Care.


John L. Montgomery Care Center
732-431-7420
115 Dutch Lane Road
Freehold, NJ   07728 

Geraldine L. Thompson Care Center
732-938-5250
PO Box 347
Hospital Road
Allenwood, NJ   08720