Frequently Asked Questions
What is independent living?
Independent Living provides maximum independence with the added ease of one or more meals per day, weekly housekeeping if desired, freedom from household maintenance, and access to staff 24-hours per day.
What is assisted living?
Assisted Living offers assistance with activities of daily living, three meals per day, weekly housekeeping and laundry services, and medication administration.
How does assisted living differ from a nursing home?
Nursing Homes care for those in need of extensive care with all activities of daily living. Assisted Living communities provide assistance with preparing meals, bathing, morning and evening routine, household chores, moderate redirection, and medication administration.
What’s the difference between Assisted Living and Memory Care?
Your loved one may still be active but can no longer live entirely independent and needs assistance with activities of daily living which include things such as bathing, dressing, and meals. Assisted livings provide housing, support services and health care. Personal care services may also include transportation and medication management. As your loved one ages, they may require additional services. Assisted livings vary in terms of what services they offer, and some may include memory care services.
Memory Care specifically caters to those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia causing diseases as well as other memory issues. Memory Care communities provide 24-hour supervised care for its residents. As in an assisted living, if your loved one can no longer care for him-or-herself due to cognitive impairment, memory care offers a solution. In addition to providing assistance with activities of daily living, the staff is specially trained to understand and anticipate the needs of those persons with Alzheimer’s or dementia causing diseases. Also, the physical layout of these communities are conducive to those with memory impairment in that they offer a smaller, more home-like environment, a reduction in the risk of wandering behaviors, and an environment that is easy to navigate. At Arbor House, our special programming called “Life in Motion” is specifically designed for those with cognitive impairment, adding joy, purpose and connection to their everyday lives. It is through this program that the true uniqueness of Memory Care support can be seen. This program provides structure and support that promotes social connectedness, joy and purpose. We believe that these specially focused programs move us beyond the basic care of assisted living and into the spectrum of assisted well-being. In this journey of dementia, it is the loss of the ability to direct ones day to find purpose, joy and connection that is the root cause of depression, isolation and other illnesses. The high staffing ratio – generally 50% better than a regular assisted living – allows residents to connect with our team members in our “Best Friends” environment to find a Life that is truly in Motion.
What is a continuing care retirement community?
The combination of independent living, Assisted Living and Nursing Home is known as a CCRC. A resident can take advantage of a full range of services provided with the ease of transferring to a new unit within the same campus.
Who pays for Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care communities?
Many states have not approved any funding for these communities. Therefore, the cost is the resident’s sole responsibility.
Does long term care insurance pay for these types of communities?
Depending on the policy, many long term policies do cover some, if not all, of the cost. Many policies are written such that a person must receive help with at least 3 activities of daily living. If a resident is living in an Assisted Living Community, they might be receiving help with preparing meals, medication assistance, and bathing assistance. This constitutes help with 3 activities of daily living. The insurance company will probably agree to pay for the resident’s living arrangement under the terms of the policy. The average cost of Assisted Living is $80/day and Nursing Home is $115/day.
What is a memory care community?
A Memory Care Community addresses the special requirements of the Alzheimer resident by minimizing challenges and enhancing remaining abilities in a secure environment. Memory care residents are typically inappropriate for Assisted Living due to their wandering nature. Memory Care Communities are ideal for dementia patients.
What does "Alzheimer’s care certified" mean?
All Assisted Livings that advertise special care for those with Alzheimer’s must be certified. Alzheimer’s Assisted Living Certification includes special guidelines for training staff.
What does a designed-based building mean?
This means that we take into consideration what we know and understand about the needs of people managing a dementia causing disease and incorporate this understanding into the way we build our communities. Current research tells us that people with a dementia causing disease perform with greater independence in less crowded environments. Our memory care communities honor this information in its building design by providing four sections we call “houses” with each offering 13 private bedrooms, two living areas, a dining room, a kitchen and a courtyard. We understand the basic need for freedom and movement so we create spaces to allow for such movement. We also encourage independent access to our courtyards where residents find purpose and peace. Even our décor reflects our understanding of the changing visual perceptual needs of our unique clients. We have chosen décor that is simple and comfortable such as platform rockers and comfortable couches. We have created a “total yes” environment which gives residents access to independence – each house has its own kitchen stocked with snacks and such to satisfy those mid-night snack cravings. From our building to our décor to our snacks, we are built for the individuals we serve.
How are Arbor House employees trained?
The dedicated Memory Care communities are Assisted Livings with a Certification in Alzheimer’s Care. What this means is that our Team Members experience a higher level of training compared to non-certified assisted living. The Certification requires 4 hours of dementia-specific orientation prior to assuming any job. Arbor House provides 11 hours of dementia understanding training. This is in addition to general orientation.
Our Team Members complete 16 to 24 hours of on-the-job training before they are assigned a shift.
Our Team Members must annually complete 12 hours of in-service education which includes understanding the unique needs of persons with a dementia causing disease such as Alzheimer’s disease. These trainings focus on the most current and relevant information regarding behavior understanding, prevention of aggressive behavior and de-escalation techniques, or fall prevention, or alternatives to restraints. Training for these subjects must be competency-based. Subject matter must address the unique needs of the community and the unique persons that live within.
Is there a nurse on staff?
Yes. Our Director of Nursing is an LVN and he/she is on-site 40+ hours per week. The Executive Director, Director of Nursing, and the Wellness Director are available 24 hours a day. Some communities offer 7 day a week nursing. Arbor House employs a Registered Nurse (RN) who manages the training and medicinal delegations for team members as well as providing an extra layer of oversight for nursing safety.
Who pays for Independent Living, Assisted Living, and Memory Care communities?
Many states have not approved any funding for these communities. Therefore, the cost is the resident’s sole responsibility.
Why is it important to choose a community that offers special care and programing for Memory Care residents?
At Arbor House, we believe that Life can have new meaning and it doesn’t stop as we age – we stay In Motion. A balanced engagement program gives breath to this New Life in Motion by ensuring that Arbor House offers just what every person needs and wants to continue to enjoy and encounter life. This engagement program is composed of eight components, including: bodies, minds, hearts, dreams, friends, purpose, feelings and quiet moments. Residents can participate in engagements throughout the day that encompass these eight elements. Life in Motion is built around residents’ needs and desires. Each Arbor House community is unique in the way they deliver these engagement programs – it all depends on the residents! Each program group has 14 engagement options per day and most communities have 4 program groups – that is over 50 engagements a day! Join us for Life In Motion!
