 | Linda Day is the Director of Nursing at Chaucer Estates. She has been a nurse since 1992. Her education began in Palm Desert, Calif., where she received an AA degree from College of the Desert. She attended San Diego State for two years, majoring in Health Education. After marrying an Augusta, Kansas native, they moved to Augusta and she attended Butler County Community College, where she received her Nursing Degree. Linda lives in Augusta with her son Tanner and they are members of First Baptist Church of Augusta. Linda has three children. Sabrina Day is a junior at K-State. Brandi Day is employed at the Marriott here in Wichita, and is planning on going to K-State in the fall. Tanner is a junior at Augusta High School. Hobbies include Tennis, travel, eating out and shopping. Linda Day can be reached at Chaucer Estates, located at 10550 E. 21st St. North in the Regency Lakes or call (316) 630-8111. |
Senior Living
2005-05-01 09:03:00
Questions to ask when looking for senior living communities?
ANSWER: Don't be afraid to ask any and as many questions as you feel necessary. Deciding on a facility to help take care of your parents is one of the most important (and difficult) decisions you will ever have to make. First of all, take the facility's marketing tour and observe the upkeep and safety of that facility; is it clean and are the grounds maintained? Are there appropriate hand rails or grab rails in the bathing areas and hallways? Are the sprinkler systems and fire extinguishers easily accessible? Talk to the individual giving the tour about the staff. What type of training is given to new staff members and is there ongoing training offered to the staff. Ask to see the training policy and procedure manuals to make sure that the facility does indeed train the way it says it does. Find out whether the facility uses volunteers and what type of training they receive. Ask if the facility does national criminal background checks on staff and new applicants? Some only do local or state background checks. Also, what type of pre-employment drug screening does it do, and is drug screening ongoing? Compare the number of staff available on various weekday, weekend, and holiday shifts with other facilities you are considering. Find out about the types of food choices offered and whether it is able to accommodate special dietary needs. If the facility offers, sample a meal during mealtime while in a main dining area and observe the current residents and staff. Ask about the range of activities on site and off site, and see if they meet the senior's needs. Are there activities off site at least twice a week? Does the facility offer activities such as religious services, lectures, discussion groups, and arts and crafts classes on site? Check out the facility's wellness center if they have one, and the availability for use. Does it meet clinical needs such as memory impairment services or weight control and blood pressure checks? Also, how close is the nearest hospital in case of an emergency? Depending on the health and mental awareness of your loved ones, look for a facility that offers Independent Living, Assisted Living, and possibly a Special Care, Skilled Nursing or Dementia Area. The longer your family member can remain in a familiar setting with familiar staff and residents, the more comfortable they will be with their lifestyle change.
