What is Residential Care Facility?
Residential Care is a long-term care option for seniors. It bridges the gap between living independently and living in a nursing home. It is a combination of independent living and care. Amenities include meals and snacks, housekeeping, laundry, activities and exercise, 24-hour staffing with personal assistance available such as bathing, dressing and medication management. Assisted Living allows elders to live as independently as possible while providing the peace of mind associated with a support team.
What is Memory Care?
Memory support is a long-term care option for elders with dementia. Amenities include meals and snacks, housekeeping, laundry, exercise, 24-hour staffing, personal care assistance and medication management. Specialized security equipment helps ensure resident safety. Families can have peace of mind knowing that their loved one is in a caring safe environment.
What are the most important things to ask about when looking for an assisted living or memory support community for a loved one?
What is the community’s mission statement that tells you about their philosophy? At Serenity Villa, it is: Enrich the lives of everyone who passes through our doors.”
How do I choose the right assisted living or memory support community for my loved one?
A community’s philosophy and practice are very important. Are there well trained qualified staff? Does the community feel warm and inviting? How long will the community keep the resident as their health or mental condition deteriorates? Will they keep the resident until end of life? Or will the resident have to move?
Who pays for Assisted Living or Memory Care?
Both assisted living and memory support are private pay. Long-term care insurance may cover assisted living and memory support. Medicare does not cover any of these fees. If qualified there may be veteran’s benefits available.
Are Residential Care Facilities/Assisted Living Facilities for the Elderly Regulated?
Yes. Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly or Assisted Living Facilities must meet care and safety standards set by the State and are licensed and inspected by the Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing (CCL).
What If My Medical Needs Increase, Can I Stay?
Maybe. Since a residential care facility is not licensed as a “medical” facility, persons requiring tube feeding, treatment of open bedsores or 24-hour nursing care are not permitted to reside in RCFEs. However, some RCFEs have permission to care for persons on hospice.
Is There a Limit on How Much Facilities Can Raise Private Pay Rates?
No. Since residential care is a private business, providers will charge what the market will bear. However, can raise charges for level of care changes immediately and provide notice within 2 working days but if the resident’s health didn’t change, rate can still be raised with an issue of 30–day notice.
Can Facilities Charge a Pre–Admission Fee?
Yes. Some providers charge nothing or a minimum amount to cover costs of conducting an assessment, obtaining medical records and setting up files. Others charge fees of thousands of dollars.
Mom always had a weekly beauty salon appointment. How can she get to the salon?
Serenity Villa has its own beauty salon. An independent operator comes once in two weeks. She does hair, manicures and pedicures. All Mom needs to do is make an appointment.
Mom’s birthday is coming up and we would like to get together to celebrate at Serenity Villa. How can we do that?
Serenity Villa has a private dining room so everyone can celebrate with a special meal. We also have a movie theatre that can be reserved. Call the front desk to make arrangements