Apartment/Room Features 24-Hour Availability: Additional Storage: Oversized closets* Air Conditioning: Cable Hookup: Disposal: Emergency Call System: Furnished Units: Individual Climate Control: Pet Policy - Must have all shots: Resident must care for pet* Private Bathrooms: Private Rooms: Step-In Showers: View: Wheelchair Access:
| Community/Facility Features 24-hour Nursing Staff: RA 24-hours; LPN 8-hours* Alarmed Interior & Exterior Doors: Beautician/Barber: Cable / Satellite TV: Courtyard: Diabetic Care: Early Stage/Mild Alzheimer's Care: Handrails: Housekeeping: Incontinence Care: Laundry Room: Library: Middle Stage/Moderate Alzheimer's Care: Number of Meals Provided: 3 per day, plus 2 snacks* Personal Care: Recreation Room: Special Diet Accommodation: Sprinkler System:
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What is Assisted Living
- and is it right for me?
Q. What is Assisted Living?
A. Assisted Living is an alternate
lifestyle available to seniors who don't want to live alone, or, who need help
with some daily activities, but are not in need of skilled nursing home care.
In New York State this level of care has traditionally been called "Adult
Care." Assisted Living is the term used nationwide.
Q. Can you tell me what Assisted
Living is like?
A. Assisted Living is an environment
where an individual or couple can have private living space, yet all meals,
housekeeping and laundry services are provided. In addition caregivers can assist
in activities of daily living, keep track of medication, make doctor appointments,
provide life enriching activities and events, and so much more.
Q. How do I know if I can be in
Assisted Living or if I need a Nursing Home?
A. New York State has some
very definitive guidelines that determine what constitutes Assisted Living versus
Nursing Home care. For instance, you would need to be able to transfer independently
(get in and out of your chair or bed safely without assistance) as well as move
safely around your room to be in assisted living. This is not to say you can't
use a walker or even a wheelchair in this type of setting, but you do need to
be able to do the transfer without assistance.
There are some other guidelines that
differentiate assisted living from skilled nursing facilities as well. If you
would like more information, we would be happy to answer your questions at any
time.
Q. Am I allowed to have company
or go out as I please, or do I need to get permission?
A. At Emeritus Assisted Living
communities we encourage you to continue the lifestyle you are most familiar
with. We do not enforce "visiting hours" or restrict activities, but
encourage you to see your friends and family as much as you can. In fact, many
residents find that after being in Assisted Living, relationships with loved
ones improve because they are once again independent.
Q. Can I use Medicaid, Medicare
or Health Insurance in Assisted Living?
A. Assisted Living is not
seen as medical need that is reimbursed by the various forms of health insurance.
It is, however, covered by many Long-Term Care insurance policies.
Q. Is there anything I should
know before choosing an Assisted Living community?
A. First, always go in and
visit. Don't ever just go by what someone sends you in the mail or tells you
on the telephone. You will want to see first hand what it looks like, how happy
the people are, how active the staff is, etc. You wouldn't buy a car without
driving it first, anymore than you would change your lifestyle!
Also, be sure they are licensed by
the state and are in compliance with all regulations. Licensed facilities are
required to display the results of the latest state inspections. Make sure there
are no "hidden" costs above the rates you are given, and there should
never be any more of a commitment than paying your rent month-to-month and giving
a 30 day notice.
Walk around, talk to the people who
live there and request a chance to have lunch or observe an activity. They should
welcome the opportunity to show you what they are all about if they are confident
in what they offer.
Q. Can I use oxygen at Emeritus
Assisted Living Communities?
A. Yes, as long as you are
able to self manage the hook-up to either the portable tank of concentrator.
Many of our residents live full, active lives while being on oxygen as much
as 24 hours per day. What we are not allowed to do is transfer you from the
concentrator to the tanks, etc. You must be strong and alert enough to manage
that part unassisted.
Q. What if I become incontinent?
A. You can still live in any
of our communities. Our Personal Care Aides will assist you with the extra care
you need. There are some exceptions to this rule, and you should ask for details
before you move in to the facility.
Q. Is there anything else you
would not be able to help me with?
A. Yes, there are, but we
can often make arrangements with a home health agency to provide the skilled
nursing tasks that we cannot do. For instance, if you are a diabetic, we are
able to fill your syringes if necessary, but are not allowed to do the actual
injection. You must be able to self inject, or we can make arrangements for
a third party to come in to do this. The same is the case for changing a dressing
on a wound. If you have had surgery, you can still live with us, but we are
not allowed to physically change the dressing. However, we could arrange to
have an outside nurse come in, as you would if you were in your own home. Your
health insurance or Medicare usually covers this additional service.
Q. What happens if I have to go
to a Nursing Home?
A. If at any time you, or
your physician, decide that you need more care than an Assisted Living is licensed
to give, we will supply you with applications to five different Nursing Homes
in the area, and assist you in any way we can with the process. You, or your
family, fill in the applications, and you will stay in our facility until a
nursing home bed becomes available.
Now, there's a new care alternative for seniors and their families who need an occasional helping hand. It's called Short Stay Care-the perfect solution for seniors who are being discharged from a hospital or nursing home, but aren't quite ready to go home; or for caregivers who could use a well-earned break.
Short Stay Care residents live in one of our fully furnished apartments with private bath for a few days, a weekend, or a month. During this time, our caring staff attends to their personal needs, from help with activities of daily living to medication management as needed. We also offer a wide range of activities to help residents stay active and make new friends.
Come see for yourself.
Whether you're a senior recovering from an illness or injury, a caregiver in need of a break, or you're considering moving into our community, Short Stay Care may offer just the right solution.
Call us for more information on our short term stay/respite program!