Questions About Making a Successful Transition
Making the decision to surround your loved one with trained professionals who meet their needs is a selfless act. The resident, family and doctor will be involved with the care levels the resident receives. No one lights up your loved one’s life like family, so visit often and cherish the moments.
Bridge to Better Living understands the difficulties to place yourself or loved one in another’s care is a difficult choice. Many factors need to be considered. Bridge to Better Living is the resource to help make decisions on specific wants and needs. Once your loved one has transitioned to a Retirement Community they will be served by trained professionals. Families are still involved in medication and levels of care. Take time to visit your loved one. Make memories!
Assisted Living provides residents “assistance” with Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s), medication management, social and recreational activities, and personal care services. ADL’s include transferring, continence, bathing, dressing and meal preparation. They receive as much or as little help as they wish because Assisted Living is family, physician, and resident driven.
A nurse (RN or LPN) is accessible 24/7. CNAs and CMAs are on-site at all times. Payment options are private pay, long-term care insurance and possible VA benefits. Assisted Living is licensed and regulated by each State, therefore, enabling each Assisted Living to be unique. It is often said if you “look at one Assisted Living community, you have looked at ONE Assisted Living community.”
Assisted Living is regulated by each individual State. Residents would need medical assistance or help in one or more Activities of Daily Living plus a physician’s order is required.
Apartments in these communities may provide a refrigerator and a microwave but generally do not have a stove as meals are provided. Rates include board and room and may include additional fees for levels of care. Medical staff is on-site 24/7. Medication is administered by qualified staff unless a resident is able to prove they are capable of managing their own medication.
There are many reasons why a parent should move to a Retirement Community. Indications when it may be time to begin looking at options include:
- Parent is a fall risk
- Proper nutrition is not being met
- Medications taken improperly
- Personal hygiene is neglected
- Parent hallucinates
- Makes poor personal and financial decisions
- Wanders
- Withdraws from social activities, friends and family
Every family approaches the conversation differently. Conversations may be awkward in the beginning. Set a scenario and then ask, “What if?” Invite a Transition Consultant to explain different Retirement Communities, cost, amenities, and services. If your parents are needing immediate placement and are unapproachable, enlist the help of their physician and one of our Transition Consultant.
Apartment availability varies at Retirement Communities. Tour with a Transition Consultant to narrow down choices before an immediate need arises. Waiting list deposits are advisable and increase opportunities of having a choice of communities and/or apartments. You always have the option to accept or decline the offer. Plan ahead because finding an apartment during a crisis is difficult and lacks choices.
Assisted Living has been proven to be more cost effective than around the clock care.
A Bridge to Better Living Transition Consultant is your personal assistant from the first step to the last and beyond. They help Seniors find the most appropriate Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, or Long-Term Care community.
Transition Consultants provide questions and answers, do the investigating and provide options. Our motto is Placement with Passion®. Bridge to Better Living “bridges” the gap often occurring between family members making difficult choices. Services are provided at NO COST to the client or clients. Meet our expert Transition Consultants here!
Choices in Independent Living may include square footage, floor plans, garages, transportation, meals, laundry, theaters, bistros, social activities, fitness rooms and more. Independent Living allows residents choices in their daily activities and life. A Transition Consultant will discuss options, prices, entry fees, and availability.
Independent Living is private pay only. In most cases Assisted Living and Memory Assisted Living may require one to two years of private pay. This includes Long-Term Care Insurance or benefit programs. A family needs to plan ahead to ensure financial security for their parents.
There are four types of Retirement Communities. Independent Living is not required to be licensed and may or may not have personnel on site. Assisted Living and Memory Care are licensed by the state and Long-Term Care is licensed by both the State and Federal Government.
Monthly fees and levels of care costs are privately paid by the resident. Long-Term Care insurance will pay if the resident meets the number of ADL’s required.
Yes, residents are able to retain their apartment as long as monthly payment is made.
In Assisted Living, a resident will have all their daily living needs met. Other services may include and are not limited to: three meals a day, transportation, housekeeping, laundry and trained staff in the facility at all times. Other amenities may or may not include: laundry assistance, individual climate control, activities, transportation, fitness rooms, storage areas and kitchenettes. It is helpful to visit with a transition consultant to discuss what is important.
Each Retirement Community is unique in its philosophy, culture, financial options and lifestyle choices. A transition consultant is able to discuss in depth the comparisons between the different communities without bias.
Federal law requires an RN to be present in Long-Term Care Communities 24/7. In Assisted Living and Memory Care Assisted Living, state regulations require an RN or LPN to be available 24/7. Independent Living may or may not have medical personnel available.
Every community requires a lease. The leases vary according to each community. A transition consultant is able to be with you when reviewing the lease.
Yes, you are encouraged to have personal belongings to make a home-like atmosphere. A Transition Consultant will refer other services specializing in helping people “right size” to their new living home.
Community visiting hours may vary. Families are usually given entrance codes or a key fob for entry when community is secured.
Activities are designed to meet the needs and wants of residents. Many have resident councils to plan future activities. Crafts, exercise classes, card playing, book clubs, travelogues and movie nights are a few of the choices. Trips may be arranged for outside activities including shopping, entertainment, and special events. It is important activities engage residents physically, socially, and mentally.
Transition Consultants maintain connections with clients to reassure the move is going smoothly and their needs are being met.
Most communities offer transportation although the number and type of free trips may vary.
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Contact Bridge to Better Living for more information on Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care and Long-Term Cared for your loved ones.