Before signing a contract with a CCRC,
seniors should conduct a thorough review
of the facility’s services, operations and
finances, and determine that the CCRC is
appropriate to their needs, lifestyle and
expectations. It’s also a good idea to ask
a family attorney or accountant to review
the contract as well. If the contract is
found agreeable, ask to spend at least
one night and two days at the facility, to
test drive the community and make sure it
is a good fit. Some points to consider
include:
• Are pets allowed in your residence?
• What social, recreational and cultural
activities are offered?
• Is food prepared onsite? If so, how is it?
• Are there fitness facilities onsite?
• Is the staff friendly and knowledgeable?
• What healthcare and personal care
services are available?
• What preparations have been made
for handling medical and evacuation
emergency situations?
CCRCs are an excellent option for those
who are independent and in good
health, but might need some assistance
with daily living needs or require skilled
nursing care. The variety of housing
offered by CCRCs is varied as well, ranging
from ultra-urban high-rise apartment
communities to cottages, townhouses,
duplexes or even single-family homes
located in a beautiful, natural setting.
ASSISTED LIVING
COMMUNITIES
An Assisted Living Community (ALC)
bridges the gap for seniors who need
assistance with daily activities as a
nursing home might offer, but wish to live
as independently as they are capable of
living for as long as possible. Residents
in an ALC are unable to live by
themselves, but do not require constant
supervision. An ALC offers its residents
assistance with eating, bathing,
dressing, laundry, housekeeping, and
keeping track of medications. They often
have centers for medical services, but
typically do not offer the extensive
medical services provided by a nursing
home. An ALC is not a substitute for a
nursing home, but rather is a stepping
stone between complete independence
and service provided by a nursing
home.
Often, an ALC will create an
individualized service plan for seniors
upon admission, detailing personal
services that will be provided to the
resident. This plan is periodically
reviewed and updated to provide the
correct care each resident receives.
Housing in an ALC may be studio or one-bedroom apartments with small kitchen
facilities. Typically, ALC housing units
have group dining facilities and common
areas where residents gather to enjoy
social and recreational activities.
An ALC may be licensed as a “Type A” or
“Type B” facility, says Martinez. “A facility
with a Type A licensing means that the
residents are mentally and physically able
to vacate the building without assistance
within 15 minutes,” says Martinez. “A Type
B certification means that residents require
assistance to vacate the building within 15
minutes. Our facility is licensed for Type B,
as we are also certified to care for residents
with Alzheimer’s Disease.”
“Your first impression of an Assisted Living
Community is the most important,” says
Martinez. “What do you see when you
get out of the car? How do they take care
of the lawn? What is your first impression
of the staff? Are the residents properly
dressed? How’s the lighting inside the
buildings? What activities are available?
Are staff members all in the same
uniform? Scrubs are not appropriate for
an Assisted Living Community, but
nametags are important.
“I’m not bragging about our own
facility,” says Martinez of her own
community, Parmer Woods Retirement &
Assisted Living, “but people comment all
the time about that first impression when
they walk into my building, go on the
tour, and acknowledge that they like
what they see.”
