Let us help you get informed

You’re having to make some serious decisions regarding the care and living arrangements of a loved one. This time can be a challenging process to collect all the information you need while making the right decisions for your family.

We’ve compiled several questions and answers we commonly hear from people just like you. Click on the question below to reveal the answer. If you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us to ask us directly.

Assisted Living communities are designed to nurture the independent spirit while assisting with the physical activities of daily living. Services provided include bathing, grooming, dressing and a wellness program. Some states also allow Assisted Living to offer medication assistance and/or wellness reminders.

A Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitative Center provides 24-hour nurse supervision, meals, activities, wellness programming, and health management support to post-surgery and post-hospital residents. In addition, Skilled Nursing offers long term oversight for individuals who require 24-hour oversight and care management. Nursing staff members develop personalized care plans for each resident and work with them daily to ensure exceptional outcomes. 

A Skilled Nursing Facility provides skilled nursing and rehabilitative care such as physical, occupational and speech therapies for the rehabilitation of recovering persons. Residents who are best suited for Skilled Nursing require 24-hour oversight by a licensed nurse.

Assisted Living is designed for senior adults who value their independent lifestyle, but may need some additional assistance in daily activities such as dressing, bathing or medication management. 

Assisted Living communities differ from Skilled Nursing in that they don’t offer complex medical services. Assisted Living communities differ from Home Health as they provide health care coordination by licensed nursing staff, social opportunities such as outings, art class and fitness programs. Home Health is provided only in the patient’s home. Seniors who prefer being independent, but need to be relieved from the burden of maintaining their home, which includes preparing meals, laundry, and housekeeping are good candidates for Independent Living. 

Each person is unique, and a good indicator that Assisted Living might be the right choice is a slight decline in health or in performing one or more tasks of activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, grooming, meal preparation, or remembering to take medications. 

Assisted Living is regulated by each individual state. As a result, every state has their own policies that define what care and services are required for an Assisted Living community to meet their specific standards. 

Supplemental services offered typically include: three meals per day, housekeeping, laundry service, personal care assistance (bathing, toileting, and dressing), as well as access to health care and medical services, on-site social and spiritual activities, recreation and exercise facilities, wellness programs, transportation arrangements, and 24-hour security.

Community amenities can vary but common amenities include wellness/fitness room, salon, spa room, mail center, and transportation. Social programming is a vital piece to the Assisted Living experience. Activities may include outings to baseball games and concerts, in-house art classes, bingo, and happy hour. 

Assisted Living apartments can vary in size, design, and accommodations. Architecturally, Assisted Living communities can vary from a high rise apartment building, to a ranch style home, or even be a part of a larger campus including Independent Living and Skilled Nursing. Choices in floor plans can typically range from a studio apartment to a two-bedroom apartment. Typically, most apartments also contain a private bath, kitchenette, closet space and living areas.

The national average for a private one-bedroom apartment in an Assisted Living community is a little over $3,000 per month ($36,000 annually). Rental rates vary depending on the room size and location within a given community. At times, costs can be offset by programs such as VA Aid and Attendance and home-based and community services. Typically private insurance policies do not cover Assisted Living, however we encourage you to check with your specific carrier for details.

The philosophy of care plays a vital role in the daily quality of life for the resident. A resident’s independence and freedom of choice should be the cornerstone to any Assisted Living philosophy. Feel free to interview the staff regarding policies specific to the community in order to obtain a better understanding their philosophy of care.

Short-term care refers to a facility providing Skilled Nursing or rehabilitative care such as physical, occupational and speech therapies. At times, short-term Skilled Nursing can also be referred to as “post-acute” care, as residents are often referred directly for rehabilitation services from the acute care hospital. The approach with skilled nursing is to guide the patient through recovery, allowing them to return to a lesser level of care. Long-term care refers to daily monitoring of medical needs from 24-hour licensed nursing staff as well as providing assistance with activities of daily living.

Each person’s journey is unique, as is every family. However, a good indicator to consider Skilled Nursing as an option is a recent decline in health or a recent hospitalization. If these indicators are present, discuss options with your physician. A personalized assessment will be completed by the Skilled Nursing/post-acute care facility of your choice prior to admission to ensure all needs can be met. Please feel free to call us today to schedule your personalized assessment.

Most facilities provide furnished suites with room amenities not unlike your favorite hotel. The room typically includes furniture, electric bed, linens, television, and telephone service. For short term residents, our suggestion is to pack a suitcase with toiletries and clothes for one week at a time. We do encourage our guests to bring family pictures and other personal mementos for recovery inspiration and returning to independence.

It’s difficult for adult children to adjust to the changes in their parents as they age. Prior to your visit, take a break from your mental “to do” list and focus on enjoying time with Mom or Dad.

When you arrive, suggest an activity you can do together such as going for a short walk or a drive to get some fresh air and a change of environment, playing a game, or just visiting. Encourage your loved one to visit the salon or provide your own manicure while visiting. Offer to go to a meal with Mom or Dad and meet their friends or help them make new ones if they are so inclined.

Encourage the grandchildren to visit as well. Ask them to send cards and drawings or teach Grandpa or Grandma how to use Facebook or Skype. Just remember that your parent may be just as content to sit quietly with you without saying much, and sometimes that is the most enjoyable time of all.

Individuals with chronic health problems choose a Skilled Nursing facility for their post-hospital and post-surgery recovery for various reasons, one of which is safety. With 24-hour nursing staff and certified nursing assistants available to respond in case of a fall, medication reaction or other health issue, a Skilled Nursing facility offers peace of mind to the guest as well as the family.

Our facilities offer an in-room nurse call system, as well as programs designed for frequent monitoring of our residents’ health needs. Exit door security, and specifically designed medical equipment are available to ensure the ongoing safety of our residents.

Our facilities maintain strong relationships with not only the local hospital staff but with local physicians in the area. We will work with your preferences to choose a physician who is right for the residents’ specific needs.

A doctor sees a resident as often as is medically necessary. Medicare and insurance companies may also make recommendations on how often a resident should be seen, but visits are determined by individual resident needs.

You would receive as much therapy as is medically necessary. The opinions of the therapy staff, as well as any recommendations from Medicare and the insurance carrier, are considered when a physician designs and orders a resident’s therapy program.

Each individual is assessed within 24 hours of admission to determine their individual needs and treatment typically begins shortly thereafter.

Skilled Nursing offers the most variety in cost and payment options of all the senior living options. The national average for a semi-private room is a little over $7,000 per month ($84,000 annually). For those paying personally for long-term care, the cost may be covered by a resident’s applicable insurance or specific long-term care policy. In many of our locations, we also accept VA benefits and Medicaid. As payment for services is an individual process, please speak with one of our financial advisors located in each of our facilities.

For a Skilled Nursing or therapy stay, a short-term guest may be eligible for Medicare, private pay and private insurance. We accept most major insurance and are willing to negotiate on your behalf with those carriers currently not contracted. Again, contact us today to speak with a financial advisor to discuss financial coverage and payment options.

Medicare is a federally funded government program that covers a specific duration of skilled services including physical, occupational and speech therapies, typically for short-term stays. Medicaid is a state program to help offset the cost of nursing home care for individuals who meet eligibility, and is considered a long-term option for individuals who may need financial assistance.

A skilled care stay is often needed after a surgery or hospitalization due to illness or injury. Medicare provides coverage for skilled care on a short-term basis when the following criteria are met:

  • A senior is currently receiving Medicare Part A (Hospital insurance) benefits and is therefore 65 years or older or has been formally diagnosed with renal failure.
  • A hospital stay of three or more consecutive days (three midnights) within the past 30 days.
  • A physician has determined that skilled care and/or rehabilitation is medically necessary due to a current health condition.
  • The skilled services required are provided in a facility that has been certified by Medicare.

If all of these conditions are met, Medicare will contribute to the nursing home cost required on a short-term basis (up to 100 days). Specifically, Medicare will provide 100% coverage for Skilled Nursing costs for the first 20 days of a nursing home stay. From day 21 through day 100 of the benefit period, the individual is responsible for paying 20% of the total cost while they continue to meet Medicare requirements.

Most Medicare supplement insurance will cover the co-pay up to day 100 of skilled services, providing the individual continues to meet Medicare requirements. Prior to admission, all insurance is verified by our facility financial advisor to give the family peace of mind that services will be covered.

Yes. When your coverage under Medicare Skilled Nursing is soon to end, the facility must give the resident a written notice titled, “Skilled Nursing Facility Advance Beneficiary Notice of Non-Coverage.” The form explains why your care is no longer covered. You or your legal representative will be asked to sign the form to acknowledge your receipt.

Dining in the resident suite is an available option. Please notify your care team of your request and your meal will be delivered to you as requested, unless contraindicated by your physician of plan of care.

At the time of admission, we spend time to get to know your family member and complete an interest survey. We will suggest wellness programming such as healthy eating cooking classes to compliment the short-term therapy. Residents at our facilities are offered a large variety of individual and group activities including games, outings, art and craft classes, spiritual activities, among others.

Visitation with family and friends is always encouraged. Should the resident be short-term care, the visitor should check with the nurse to avoid conflict with the resident’s therapy schedule.

In most communities, pets are allowed with current vaccinations. Please check with your preferred community for their specific requirements for allowing pets.

Memory Care communities are specially designed to serve residents with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Services and amenities related to this type of care may also be offered in assisted living or skilled nursing care settings. Those services and amenities designed specifically for memory care may include self-contained neighborhoods, secured units or buildings, comprehensive supervision and security, medication assistance, rehabilitation programs and daily activities designed to keep minds active.