Free Advice
A checklist for finding senior housing
How much does it cost?
Find out whether payments are daily or monthly and when and why they increase. At University House monthly rent increases once a resident begins receiving personal care and supportive health services. And always ask about additional costs, such as community fees or fees to reserve a spot on the wait list.
Is there an entrance fee?
The entrance fee goes up to $775,000 at Aljoya Thornton Place, in addition to monthly rent. Find out how much can be refunded should a resident decide to leave. Aljoya gives back 100 percent, but some locations only return 90 or 95 percent.
What kind of care do you provide?
Terms like “assisted living” and “CCRC” cover a broad range of care, and no two communities are alike. Ask to see the state disclosure of services, which specifies what kinds of support the community is licensed to offer.
Ask about licensing and staff accreditation.
The Washington State Department of Social and Health Services licenses all senior housing locations and staffers. Every place you visit should be able to produce their last annual licensing survey report. The Kline Galland has 70 nurses and upwards of 100 certified nursing assistants (CNAs), while Clare Bridge at Silver Lake has monthly all-staff meetings that highlight some aspect of dementia care as an ongoing training reinforcement.
What’s the ratio of caregivers to residents?
Adult family homes like Emerald Hills often have a ratio of 1 to 3 during the daytime and 1 to 6 at night, while the industry standard at memory care facilities like Clare Bridge is 1 to 6. Staff may include registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, licensed practical nurses, and registered nursing assistants.
What happens in an emergency?
Twenty-four hour staffers are on call at nearly all retirement communities. For those who live in an independent-living apartment, such as the Bellettini, discreet call boxes may be installed throughout the apartment and morning check-in service is available on request.
—Rachel Solomon and Kristin Cordova, compiled with help from Nancy Ferrell, Fairwinds Redmond Retirement Community and snapforseniors.com
Published: December 2009
for m & hal
10,000 a month? You could be making mortgage payments on a million dollar home at that price and afford to pay full time staff. The owners (Lytte of Mercer Island) of leisure care management are making a small fortune although they might have to downsize from their 40 million 1/2 acre home (yes house not land)is up for auction as of feb 2010.
The owners (Lytte of Mercer Island) of leisure care management are making a small fortune although they might have to downsize from their 40 million 1/2 acre home (yes house not land)is up for auction as of feb 2010.
The seattle project sounds fine but we have five grand daguhters here and must be near them to be happy. What to do about that?
Thank you for your article about health issues and older people. Check out this original song on You Tube about growing old in hard times.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uM5HDRxwPns
Thanks,
Jim