Conduct an interview with an administrator from your chosen facility. You can use the following, or similar, questions for the interview:
Is there a waiting list for your facility?
How are new demographics affecting your facility?
What marketing methods do you use to promote your facility?
Who is the primary payer source—out-of-pocket or private pay, insurance coverage, Medicare, or Medicaid?
Are there any personal or nursing care services available in your living environment?
What is the staff or organizational structure that supports the services available in your facility?
Are there any special amenities, such as a barber, beauty shop, or ice cream parlor?
If there are no special services on site, is transportation provided to nearby service facilities?
What recreational opportunities are available? Provide a list of opportunities.
What technological issues or challenges are present at the facility?
How do you anticipate health care reform will affect your facility?
How will medicine and health-related services that increase the longevity of the aging population have an impact on your facility?
What improvements would you, the administrator, like to make to the facility in the future?
Is there any current research in the field or study of gerontology that might affect the future planning for your facility, perhaps related to demographic data, health, and well-being?
Create a 15- to 20-slide Microsoft® PowerPoint® presentation in which you outline the major takeaways from your interview.
Interviewer: Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today. I’m interested in learning more about your facility and the services you offer.
Administrator: It’s my pleasure. We’re a long-term care facility that provides a variety of services to seniors, including skilled nursing, assisted living, and memory care.
Interviewer: I see. Is there a waiting list for your facility?
Administrator: Yes, there is a waiting list for all of our services. We have a very high demand for our services, and we’re always looking for ways to expand our capacity.
Interviewer: How are new demographics affecting your facility?
Administrator: The aging population is one of the biggest trends affecting our industry. We’re seeing more and more seniors who need long-term care, and we’re having to adapt our services to meet their needs.
Interviewer: What marketing methods do you use to promote your facility?
Administrator: We use a variety of marketing methods to promote our facility, including online advertising, print advertising, and word-of-mouth. We also work with local organizations to raise awareness of our services.
Interviewer: Who is the primary payer source for your facility?
Administrator: The primary payer source for our facility is Medicare. We also accept private pay, insurance coverage, and Medicaid.
Interviewer: Are there any personal or nursing care services available in your living environment?
Administrator: Yes, we offer a variety of personal and nursing care services, including bathing, dressing, grooming, and medication management. We also have a 24-hour nursing staff on call.
Interviewer: What is the staff or organizational structure that supports the services available in your facility?
Administrator: Our staff is made up of nurses, doctors, social workers, therapists, and other healthcare professionals. We also have a dedicated team of administrative staff who support the day-to-day operations of the facility.
Interviewer: Thank you for your time. I’ve learned a lot about your facility and the services you offer.
Administrator: You’re welcome. I’m glad I could help.
In addition to the questions above, I would also ask the administrator about the following:
By asking these questions, I would be able to get a more comprehensive understanding of the facility and the services it offers. This information would be helpful to me in making a decision about whether or not to place a loved one in the facility.
I hope this interview helps you learn more about long-term care facilities. If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.