At Doolittle Home, we realize that selecting the best possible care for your older relative is a critical decision. We hope you will use the following checklist to evaluate Doolittle Home as well as the other options you are considering.
| Doolittle | Other | |
| Staffing | ||
| Low staff to resident ratios. All staff works within the facility and interacts with residents. | Yes | |
| Staff has an average of over 6 years tenure | Yes | |
| Highly qualified and committed staff | Yes | |
| Services performed by staff increased awareness of residents and any changes in their conditions meals, medication dispensing, transportation, laundry, etc. | Yes | |
| Facilities | ||
| Historic home, beautifully restored, provides elegant living quarters for residents including formal dining room, parlor, sunroom, porch, sundecks and gardens | Yes | |
| Each resident has his/her own private room. | Yes | |
| Conveniently located within listening distance to village green where band concerts are held in the summer months. Convenient viewing of annual Founders Day parade. Stores, Boyden Library, Foxboro Performing Arts Center, banks and post office within walking distance. | Yes | |
| Residents are welcomed at town events including those planned especially for senior citizens. Transportation provided. | Yes | |
| Facilities available for out-of-town family and friends to obtain a room and meals at the home for a nominal fee for a visit. | Yes | |
| Activities include bowling, exercise classes, card groups, dramatic readings, poetry group and trivia competitions. Musical groups from the community perform. Diverse speakers and other programs visit the home. | Yes | |
| Baby grand piano in the sun room available for residents and visitor performances. | Yes | |
| Staff does laundry and ironing for residents. | Yes | |
| Staff available to hang picture, reprogram the VCR, DVD, etc. | Yes | |
| Residents are included in community activities as diverse as singing carols at Christmas to on-site registering to vote. | Yes | |
| Trips to local attractions and events planned regularly. Transportation provided in Doolittle Home van for Doolittle Home activities. | Yes | |
| Resources (available at no additional charge to the residents) | ||
| Whirlpool available on-site | Yes | |
| Hairdressing services provided on-site | Yes | |
| Physical therapy provided on-site | Yes | |
| Speech therapy provided on-site | Yes | |
| Occupational therapy provided on-site | Yes | |
| Physicians visit on-site | Yes | |
| Podiatrist visits on-site | Yes | |
| Dental check-ups on-site | Yes | |
| Eye exams on-site | Yes | |
| Laundry services for residents | Yes | |
| Van transportation available for approved medical appointments. | Yes | |
| Financial | ||
| Single up-front payment calculated based on actuarial tables for life expectancy, factors in social security payments and pensions as applicable. No further liability regardless of change in needs. | Yes | |
| Residency not terminated by depletion of residents funds: contract is for care for life of the resident | Yes | |
| No service charge for meals delivered to residents room when medically necessary | Yes | |
| No service charge for van transportation to Doolittle Home activities and approved medical appointments | Yes | |
| No service charge for administering medications | Yes | |
| Medical | ||
| Fully equipped nine-bed nursing unit available on-site. | Yes | |
| Regularly scheduled physician visits and physician is available on call as needed. | Yes | |
| Nursing staff administers and acquires all medications for residents. | Yes | |
| 24 hour licensed nursing coverage, 365 days per year | Yes | |
| Nursing unit provides residents skilled medical treatment in the same building. Residents of nursing unit can still have meals with other residents as long as able. Familiar staff. | Yes | |
| Daily contact with medical staff allows for proactive care monitoring weight changes, checking for changes in skin condition, monitoring changes in physical or mental status. | Yes | |
| Nursing staff works closely with doctors and other caregivers to coordinate care. | Yes | |
| Admissions | ||
| Persons 65 years of age or older in reasonably good physical and mental health may apply | Yes | |
| Qualified applicants are invited to spend one week as a guest to become acquainted with the facility and its residents prior to final decision. | Yes | |
| Food | ||
| Licensed dietitian works closely with food service personnel to maintain a healthy therapeutic diet for all residents regardless of their special needs. | Yes | |
| Certified Food Services Supervisor on staff. | Yes | |
| All meals provided (3 meals per day and 2 snacks, 7 days per week), no additional costs | Yes | |
| Meals are tasty and are attractively served. | Yes | |
| Volunteer Governance | ||
| Board of Trustees, comprised of individuals with demonstrated interest in the welfare of the residents, serve on a volunteer basis. | Yes | |
| Officers and trustees are local and visit on a regular basis. | Yes | |
| Each regular meeting of trustees includes time for trustees to interact with residents. | Yes | |
| Trustees maintain close relationships with residents through interaction at trustee meetings, personal visits, and participation in special events. | Yes | |
| Community of Residents | ||
| Residents represent a diverse group of individuals. Each resident has opportunities to pursue and share special interests and talents. Many residents have college educations and several are computer literate. Residents share musical talents and art work. Other interests include sewing, knitting, gardening, poetry, drama, bridge, card games etc. Regular interaction among residents is encouraged. | Yes |