Questions to Ask When Comparing Long-term Care Homes

April 2025

Choosing a long-term care home is an intimidating and challenging assignment at a time when there are already many other emotional and difficult issues ongoing. To ensure your loved one gets the best care possible, these are some questions that I think you should consider asking the operators of several homes before you make your selection. These are only my opinions (as a PEI resident), and you should do further research for a more comprehensive list as I am sure there are many more considerations.

When investigating homes, put yourself in the position of your loved one – what would you expect for comforts and care? Consider what would you be looking forward to each day to make you want to get out of bed – good food, socialization with friends, enjoyable recreation, and a comfortable bed (and maybe help to get out of it each day)? Which long-term care home can help with most of these needs and wants? And remember, your tour of the home by the operator is marketing, i.e., sales pitch, so you need to be alert both visually and mentally to ensure what you hear is what you will get. Consider a visit on your own, without the tour, at another time if you want more certainty. For promises and services to be received, explore with questions. For example, if you are offered guaranteed satisfaction, you need to explore how that works if there is a problem, given the waiting list and levels of approval needed to be admitted to a long-term care home. When ready to move, you may also want to read my Checklist for Moving to Assisted Living.

I have expressed these questions below as if you are the person moving, but of course, you may be asking on your loved one’s behalf.

What is the daily and annual rate charged for a room if I am not entitled to a government subsidy?
Will I have a private room?
If I am on subsidy, and I lose my subsidy for one year because of a non-recurring item on my tax return, what will my rate be for that following year?
If I am on subsidy, how often do I receive a statement of my comfort allowance transactions, and am I provided with the receipts for those transactions?
Are my own personal professionals allowed to come in to the residence for services such as haircare and footcare?
If my doctor requires me to see a specialist, is my family advised? Who is my advocate to follow-up to ensure I receive proper treatment, and how does that work?
How do I get to my medical appointments? Is it an additional cost?
How do I receive dental and vision care while in the home?
Will my family doctor have any involvement in my care after I move in?
Do I need to change my pharmacist after I move in?
Am I able to have a family member or partner in care be advised at the time of any changes to my medications?
Can my family member or partner in care review my medical charts showing my medications and their administration schedule?
Am I monitored for side effects with any changes to medications?
If my partner in care identifies changes in my health as a result of such changes, what action is taken and how long does it take?
How often will I receive a bath?
Will I be required to wear incontinence underwear if I do not already have incontinence issues?
If I need assistance in toileting, how does the system work and how long does one need to wait, on average, for help?
Does my room have its own thermostat to control the heat?
How are my personal belongings, such as my money and jewelry, secured to prevent theft?
At what times are meals served?
Are meals served to me in my room or in a common dining room, and/or do I have a choice?
What culinary training does your chef have?
May I see the meal menu for the past month?
Are any special menu items permitted for residents with certain likes, dislikes or allergies? If so, are there additional charges for such changes?
If I require assistance going to bed, do the staff ensure am I made comfortable after being moved?
Do your employees have training in helping and communicating with dementia patients? If so, how often do they receive continuing education in that respect. Are they monitored to ensure they practice the education techniques?
Does your home offer care for residents with advanced dementia, and if so, what special care (and supervision, if needed) do they receive compared to other residents by way of helping them socialize, remain active, and, where applicable, to keep them from disturbing other residents?
How many hours on a daily basis are given to each individual by staff for socialization and recreational activities?
Do you currently have any staff shortages? On average, how many caregiving/nursing employees would you see depart from the residence on an annual basis?
Has anyone requested a transfer out of your facility to another long-term care home within the past year, and if so, why?
If I have a problem about a service or an employee, do you have a confidential whistleblower complaint system so I do not have to worry about retribution against me or my family?
In PEI, has your nursing home license been changed to “provisional” license within the past three years, and if so, what are the details? (Note: You can see these on the Province of PEI web site and I encourage you to review the site periodically after admission as well.)

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Blair Corkum, CPA, CA, R.F.P., CFP, CFDS, CLU, CHS holds his Chartered Professional Accountant, Chartered Accountant, Registered Financial Planner, Chartered Financial Divorce Specialist as well as several other financial planning related designations. Blair offers hourly based fee-only personal financial planning, holds no investment or insurance licenses, and receives no commissions or referral fees. This publication should not be construed as legal or investment advice. It is neither a definitive analysis of the law nor a substitute for professional advice which you should obtain before acting on information in this article. Information may change as a result of legislation or regulations issued after this article was written.©Blair Corkum