What Is Assisted Living? Part One! Patrick J
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Consider nutrition, Assisted living facilities are for persons who are able to care for them- This is the least expensive plan because choice, appearance, variety, and taste. Are people needing assistance with Activities selves except for a few activities. Assist- all future long-term nursing costs must be special meals of Daily Living (ADLs) but wishing to ed living facilities are often deemed nec- paid for separately from the contract. available for live as independently as possible for as essary when the person in question needs Consult your financial planner to dietary restric- long as possible. Assisted living exists help preparing help you determine which plan is best for tions? Does a to bridge the gap between independent meals, bathing, you. dietician ap- living and nursing homes. Residents in dressing, per- What is Independent Living? prove resident assisted living centers are not able to live forming house- Independent living is for peo- meal plans? by themselves but do not require constant hold chores, is ple who want to and are able to live in- • How care either. Assisted living facilities offer sometimes con- dependently but do not want to maintain big is the fa- help with ADLs such as eating, bathing, fused, or is expe- a home. Many people prefer to live in a cility? Larger dressing, laundry, housekeeping, and as- www.hiltoneast.com riencing memory community with others of the same age facilities may sistance with medications. Many facili- problems. and with similar interests. An independ- have more activities that are organized, ties also have centers for medical care; What are Continuing Care Retirement ent retirement community allows for a socialization opportunities, and transpor- however, the care offered may not be as Communities? great deal of social activities and trips. tation. intensive or available to residents as the Assisted living facilities are of- Many independent living facilities also • Can residents bring their own care offered at a nursing home. Assisted ten connected with independent living offer prepared meals and provide a wide cars? living is not an alternative to a nursing residences and nursing homes. The com- range of amenities. • What are the facility’s visiting home, but an intermediate level of long- bination is known as a continuing care SELECTION TIPS: hours? What types of accommodations term care appropriate for many seniors. retirement community. The resident can Choosing the right assisted living are available for visitors? Are there any Most assisted living facilities take advantage of the full range of serv- facility should be an involved and care- restrictions on having guests? create a service plan for each individual ices available and the ease of transfer to a fully thought-out process. Picking the • How clean is the facility in ref- resident upon admission. The service different type of facility as his or her con- right assisted living facility is as impor- erence to appearance and odor? plan details the personalized services dition and needs change without need- tant as choosing a house or apartment. • What is the general attitude and required by the resident and guaranteed ing to look for a new facility, relocate, Visit the facilities you are con- appearance of the residents? by the facility. The plan is updated regu- or adapt to a new setting. For example, sidering, talk to the staff and residents, • What is the general attitude of larly to assure that the resident receives the resident may begin in the independent and read any brochures and information the staff? Is the staff friendly and courte- the appropriate care as his or her condi- living residences, move to assisted living offered. Make several visits at varying ous to residents and each other? tion changes. The term used for assisted as he or she needs help with activities of times of the day and week in order to get a • What is the participation level living facilities differs across the country. daily living, and eventually move to the complete impression of the facility. When of residents in activities and outings? Other common terms for these facilities nursing home as ongoing care becomes you tour the facilities, pay special atten- • How often and in what manner include: necessary. tion to the attitudes and overall friendli- does the staff interact with the residents? • Residential care The three different contracts ness of the staff and residents because Does the staff recognize all of the resi- • Personal care available to people wishing to become a they are potential housemates. Find out dents? Are members of the staff friendly • Adult congregate living care member of a continuing care community which state and federal regulations apply, toward the residents? • Board and care are extensive, modified, and fee-for-serv- and make sure that the facility properly • What is the resident’s and fami- • Domiciliary care ice. All three cover shelter, amenities, complies with them. Most importantly, ly’s involvement in the development of • Adult living facilities residential services, and any short-term involve loved ones in making your deci- the service plan? • Supported care and emergency care. The contracts dif- sion. • How often are each resident’s • Enhanced care fer in the amounts of entrance fees and The following are things to con- needs reassessed? • Community based retirement monthly fees. sider when choosing a facility include: • What are the admission require- facilities In addition to the costs men- Atmosphere/Comfort Level ments? • Adult foster care tioned above, an extensive contract also • Are pets allowed? NEXT MONTH: “PART 2” • Adult homes covers unlimited long-term nursing care • Sheltered housing with no corresponding increase in month- • Retirement residences ly payments. This is the most expensive Sharmar Services Expanded Assisted living is the generic contract but may prove to be the most Sharmar Village has served the Pueblo com- term used across the country. cost-effective in the long run. The modi- munity for over 40 years! These years have brought How Does an Assisted Living Facility fied contract covers a specific amount of many changes to the campus. Services have been Differ from a Nursing Home? long-term nursing care in the monthly expanded from traditional Alzheimer’s and demen- Nursing homes are designed to payments. Once the specified amount is tia care to include skilled nursing and rehabilitation, care for very frail people that are not able used, the resident must pay for any ad- assisted living and day program services. The de- to care for themselves and have numerous ditional nursing care. Residents under livery of these services has been enhanced by the recent additions to the campus. Sharmar Village Care Center has been re- decorated complete with carpeted rooms and hall- MEMORIES NEEDED ways. The building has been organized so that each FOR FUNDRAISER section can provide a distinctive type of care. Skilled nursing is provided throughout [Pueblo, Colo.] – December 20, 2008 the facility with an emphasis on short-term rehabilitation on our west wing, memory – The Steelworks Museum of Industry and Culture care and long-term nursing care on the east wing. and Bessemer Historical Society (BHS) are in need Fountain Court Memory Care Community at the Chateau at Sharmar boasts of stories and memories from former employees of Colorado Fuel & Iron. On Janu- state-of-the-art architecture unlike any other facility in southern Colorado. Each resi- ary 17th, 2009 the Society will host “Faces of CF&I – A Melting Post of Steel” at dent has a private room and bathroom. These rooms are centered around a great room the Pueblo Convention Center. The evening will be a celebration of the many ethnic with kitchen, dining and living room. The outdoor patio and walking paths are easily groups that were part of the CF&I family. accessible. The setting provides a cozy home-like atmosphere where residents can As part of the evening’s entertainment the Society wishes to present the sto- enjoy a sense of community and independence. Chateau staff members who provide ries and memories of those that worked at the steel mill, C&W Railway, and the vari- care at Fountain Court are specially trained in communication and special techniques ous coal mines and camps in southern Colorado. that enhance the lives of the residents. Additionally the Society is interested in photos depicting the ethnic heritage Chateau at Sharmar Assisted Living Residence now offers several apartment so prevalent in the many CF&I operations and communities. Photos will be scanned floor plan options for seniors. Each unit is equipped to help residents experience the and returned. feeling of independence with an emergency call system, climate control, kitchenette Persons wishing to help with this effort may call Bob Campbell at the Soci- and private bathroom. Supportive services are offered to help residents maintain the ety, 719-564-9086. normalcy of every day home life. see “Sharmar” page 5. Page 2 - Senior Beacon - Jan., 2009 Visit Us at http:// www.seniorbeacon.info Just One Guy’s Opinion by James R.