Phoenix Relocation Guide

ACT I VE ADU LT S & S EN I OR L I V I NG

home might offer, but wish to live as inde- pendently 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 medi- cation management. 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 indepen- dence and services nursing homes provide. Often, an ALC will create an individualized service plan for seniors upon admission, detailing personal services that the commu- nity will provide. This plan is periodically reviewed and updated to give 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. The first impression of an ALC is the most important. Some questions to ask include: 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 resi- dents properly dressed? How’s the lighting inside the buildings? What activities are available? Are staff members all in the same uniform? Scrubs are not necessarily appropriate for an ALC, but name tags are important. NURSING CARE FACILITIES A Nursing Care Facility (NCF) is a state licensed, private-care facility that provides 24-hour skilled hospital care for residents who do not require hospitalization but cannot be cared for at home. Also called Long-Term Care Facilities, the majority of nursing homes are staffed by trained persons who provide an excellent level of service for their residents. It pays to shop around when selecting a NCF. Seniors should consult with a trusted doctor or health care practitioner for recommenda- tions of nearby facilities. Plan on visiting at least four or five area facilities, and make an appointment with the administrator or director

appropriate to their needs, lifestyle and expectations. It’s also a good idea to ask a family attorney or accountant to review the contract. 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 on-site? If so, how is it prepared? • Are there fitness facilities on-site? • 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 apart- ment communities to cottages, townhouses, duplexes or even single-family homes. ASSISTED LIVING COMMUNITIES An Assisted Living Community (ALC) bridges the gap for seniors who need assis- tance with daily activities as a nursing

cost. A fee-for-service contract offers an a la carte approach, requiring that residents pay separately for all health and medical services provided by the facility in addition to long-term care. While a fee-for-service contract is the least expensive contract, it does have the highest risk. Costs can run very high for seniors who require unanticipated extensive care. The most common element in a CCRC contract is an entrance fee, where regardless of whether the contract is an extensive, modi- fied or fee-for-service contract, the resident pays a lump sum entrance fee plus monthly fees thereafter. Another CCRC contract option may require an equity agreement where seniors purchase a condominium or co-op apartment on the property instead of paying an entrance fee. Less commonly found are CCRC contracts where residents pay monthly fees only. Seniors and their families are advised to read the fine print on the contract carefully to ensure that they are signing an agreement that guarantees the lifetime of services and support over an extended period of time that they are looking for. There are so-called copycat senior-care residences that claim to offer all the benefits of a CCRC, but in reality the services guar- anteed by the actual contract fall short of the claims made by management. 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

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