A bright, comfortable room matters. But when choosing a nursing home for a parent, the most useful questions are about the care they will receive every day—and at night. Take this checklist on your next visit and ask each centre the same questions.
10 questions to ask on your visit
1. Who is on duty during the day and at night?
Ask who provides nursing care, who assists with daily living and who is responsible overnight. Find out how residents request help and how the team covers staff absences. “24-hour care” is a starting point for discussion; ask what it means for your parent’s needs.
2. Can you meet my parent’s specific care needs?
Explain the help your parent needs with walking, transfers, bathing, toileting, meals and communication. Ask for an assessment before admission, including an honest explanation of any needs the centre cannot safely support and what happens if those needs change.
3. How are medicines managed?
Ask how medicines are received, stored, administered and recorded, and how prescription changes are confirmed. Clarify who contacts the prescribing clinician when there is a question, and how the family is informed of a medication problem.
4. What happens if a resident falls or suddenly becomes unwell?
Ask the team to explain its response, who contacts the family, and how medical assessment, transport and hospital escorts are arranged. Confirm related charges. A clear process is more useful than a promise that incidents will never happen.
5. How will our family receive updates?
Agree on a main family contact, routine update arrangements and the events that trigger an urgent call. Ask who you can speak to about concerns and how complaints are followed up. Include your parent’s preferences and consent wherever possible.
6. What does a typical day look like?
Ask about social activities, supported movement, outdoor time and individual interests. If rehabilitation is needed, clarify who assesses and delivers it, how often it is available, and whether it costs extra. General activities and an individual rehabilitation programme are different services.
7. How are meals and individual eating needs handled?
Discuss food preferences, allergies and any prescribed diet or swallowing plan. Ask what help is available at mealtimes and how the team follows instructions from the treating professionals. Confirm suitability before admission rather than assuming every diet can be accommodated.
8. What is included in the monthly fee?
Request a written breakdown covering accommodation, daily assistance, meals, laundry and any included nursing services. Check supplies, medicines, appointments, rehabilitation, transport and escorts separately. Ask about deposits, notice periods, refunds and fee changes when care needs increase.
9. How are hygiene, comfort and privacy maintained?
Ask about personal care, laundry, cleaning routines and support for residents who spend much of the day in bed or a chair. During the visit, notice bathroom access, floors, lighting and how staff protect residents’ dignity when helping them.
10. Can we visit and discuss the care arrangement before deciding?
Arrange a visit, meet the team and ask to see the relevant living spaces while respecting other residents’ privacy. Confirm visiting arrangements and what information is needed before admission. Ask for time to review the proposed care and fees with your family.
Compare clear answers, not just attractive photos
After each visit, write down what was explained, what was confirmed in writing and what still needs clarification. Observe whether staff respond respectfully and can explain their routines. The best fit depends on your parent’s needs, preferences and the support your family can realistically provide.
Talk through your checklist with Woon Ho
Considering care in Kempas Baru, Johor Bahru? Bring your questions and a summary of your parent’s current needs to Woon Ho Family Care Centre. Discuss suitability, current service arrangements, availability and fees with the team before making a decision.
WhatsApp Woon Ho: +60 19-952 2567 — arrange a visit
Explore our nursing care services and facilities.
中文：选择疗养院前一定要问的10个问题
明亮舒适的房间很重要，但为父母选择疗养院，更要了解每天实际得到什么照顾，尤其是夜间和突发情况。参观时带上这份清单，向不同机构提出相同的问题，比较会更清楚。
1. 白天和晚上分别由谁值班？
了解谁负责护理、谁协助日常生活，以及夜间由谁负责。询问长者如何求助、员工请假时如何补位。“24小时照护”还需要进一步说明：实际安排是否能满足父母的需要？
2. 能否照顾父母的具体情况？
清楚说明父母在行走、转移、洗澡、如厕、进食和沟通方面需要多少协助。要求入住前评估，并了解机构不能安全处理哪些情况，以及护理需要增加后如何安排。
3. 药物如何管理？
询问药物如何接收、储存、分发及记录，处方更改由谁核对。如有药物疑问，由谁联系开药的医疗人员？出现问题时又如何通知家属？
4. 跌倒或身体突然不适时怎样处理？
请团队说明处理流程、通知家属的安排，以及医疗评估、送院交通和陪同如何协调，同时确认相关费用。清楚的处理程序，比保证“绝不会出事”更有参考价值。
5. 家属如何收到近况？
确认主要联系人、日常更新方式，以及哪些情况会立即致电家属。了解有疑问或投诉时应该找谁、如何跟进，并尽可能尊重父母本人的意愿与同意。
6. 长者一天怎样度过？
询问社交活动、适当运动、户外时间及个人兴趣如何安排。如需要复健，应确认由谁评估和提供、频率如何、是否另外收费。一般活动与个别复健计划属于不同服务。
7. 膳食和进食需要如何照顾？
说明食物喜好、过敏、医生要求的饮食或吞咽计划。确认进餐时有什么协助，以及团队如何配合专业人员的指示。入住前先确认是否适合，不要假设每一种特殊饮食都能安排。
8. 月费包括什么？
要求书面列明住宿、日常协助、膳食、洗衣及包含的护理服务；另行核对耗材、药物、复诊、复健、交通与陪同费用。也要了解押金、退住通知期、退款条件，以及护理需要增加后的收费调整。
9. 卫生、舒适和隐私如何维护？
询问个人清洁、洗衣、环境清洁，以及长期卧床或久坐长者的照护安排。参观时留意浴室通行、地面、灯光，也观察员工协助长者时是否尊重其隐私和尊严。
10. 决定前能否参观并讨论护理安排？
预约参观，与团队见面，并在尊重其他住客隐私的情况下了解相关生活空间。确认探访安排和入住所需资料，也给家人时间一起阅读护理方案与收费说明。
比较具体答案，不只比较宣传照片
每次参观后，记录哪些事情已经解释清楚、哪些有书面确认，以及还有什么需要追问。观察员工回应是否尊重、能否清楚说明日常流程。合适的选择，应该符合父母的护理需要、个人意愿，以及家人实际能够提供的支援。
带着清单，与 Woon Ho 讨论
正在考虑新山 Kempas Baru 的疗养护理？欢迎带上问题清单及父母目前的护理需要，与 Woon Ho 温和之家疗养院团队讨论。决定前，请确认个人适合程度、现有服务安排、床位及收费。
WhatsApp +60 19-952 2567 — 咨询护理／预约参观
Frequently asked questions / 常见问题
Should we compare more than one nursing home? / 应该参观多过一家吗？
Where practical, visit more than one centre and use the same checklist. Clear answers about your parent’s actual needs make comparison more useful than appearance alone.
条件允许的话，可参观多家并使用相同清单。针对父母实际需要取得清楚答案，比单看装潢更有帮助。
What should we prepare for a visit? / 参观前要准备什么？
Bring your questions and a summary of mobility, daily assistance and care needs. Ask the team which medical information is needed for an assessment, and share private records directly through the agreed channel.
准备问题清单，并整理行动能力、日常协助和护理需要。先询问评估需要什么医疗资料，再通过双方确认的方式直接提供。
Does a higher price always mean more suitable care? / 收费较高就一定更适合吗？
No. Compare the proposed care, staffing arrangements, included services and the resident’s preferences alongside the total cost.
不一定。应同时比较护理方案、人手安排、包含服务、长者意愿与整体费用。