
Free Resources
As a trusted health care provider, we have compiled the most up-to-date health care resources we could find to help our residents make the most informed decisions regarding their health care choices. We offer a Web page for frequently asked questions, and we have even included a checklist that allows you to compare various assisted living options. And, if the information you need is not here, we will do our best to find it for you. Remember, we are here to help you and your family. Trust us for the information you need and the care you deserve.
Select a resource:
Assisted Living Residence Comparison Checklist
Assisted Living Residence Comparison Checklist
You want to find the best care residence for your loved one. The comparison checklist will assist you in comparing care residences and making the best decision.
Placing a loved one in an assisted living residence is one of the most difficult tasks a family member ever faces. But when it becomes necessary, prospective residents and their families should have the best information possible to make this decision.
To make the best decision, you should first speak with people you can trust and who may be able to provide valuable information about a particular facility, as well as the needs of the potential resident. Such people include family, friends, and health professionals.
Second, begin gathering basic information about the assisted living residences you are considering. Keep in mind that location is important. Choosing a residence located close to family and friends will allow more time for visiting.
It is also important that you understand how financing will be handled for a stay at each residence.
Next, visiting the assisted living residence is one of the most important steps in the selection process, as it will allow you to comparison shop using the checklist we have provided. This will actually allow you to talk with the staff and the residents who receive care and live at the residence and keep a record of their answers. As you conduct your interviews, be sure to respect resident privacy. You may visit a residence during a scheduled tour, or you may also visit the residence unannounced.
Finally,
let your senses guide you through your toursight, smell, touch, sound
and tasteare all important factors. Use this checklist as a guide to
note specific things about each residence you visit. Then you will have the
information that will help you make an informed and best decision for your
loved one, and you.
| Assisted
Living Residence Comparison Checklist Click here for printer-friendly version of this chart. |
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| general | |||
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Is the AL residence conveniently located for visits from family and friends? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Are visiting hours open? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Is the residence convenient to a local hospital? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Does the residence have a history of excellent health care surveys? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Is the residence near shopping and entertainment areas? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Are pets allowed to live in the residence? If so, are there additional fees? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Are residents able to have overnight visitors in their apartments? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Can residents have automobiles? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Is additional storage space available? Is there an additional fee? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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| care | |||
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Is there an emergency response system? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Do residents appear well-groomed? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Do residents appear comfortable and at-home? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Are residents willing to share their opinion of the residence? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Observe staff and resident interaction. Are they positive and courteous? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Is there a written service plan for each resident? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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What happens when the care needs change for a resident or they require a different level of care? |
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| resident apartments | |||
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Is there a variety of floor plans? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Are a refrigerator and microwave provided? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Is there ample closet space? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Is the bathroom spacious enough to accommodate a wheelchair? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Are residents permitted to hang items on the walls? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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If it is necessary to use furnishings belonging to the residence, is there a fee for that? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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| environment | |||
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Are the grounds attractive and well-kept? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Is the residence clean and odor free? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Is the décor attractive and inviting? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Is the noise level acceptable? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Are there private gathering areas where residents can entertain? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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| dining services | |||
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Do residents have a choice of menu items at every meal? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Is a daily menu in view? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Is there a choice of dining areas? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Is there a choice of dining times for each meal? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Can special dietary needs be accommodated? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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| activities | |||
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Is there an area designated for activities? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Does the activity calendar reflect a varied and stimulating selection of activities? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Is transportation available for resident outings? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Do residents have a voice in activity programming and how is this accomplished? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Is there an active resident council? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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| costs and fees | |||
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What is included in the basic monthly cost? Ask for a written copy. |
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Are rates based on an all-inclusive level of care? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Are rates based on fee for service? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Does the residence have a written schedule of fees for extra services? If so, request a copy. |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Is there a security deposit? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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What is the refund policy? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Are advanced payments returned if the resident leaves the residence? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Are there extra charges for the following:
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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| services | |||
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Are there professional nursing services on-site? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Are the services of a physical, occupational or speech therapist available? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Does the residence provide bed linens and towels? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Does the residence provide laundry services? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Are there salon services available on-site? |
Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Yes / No
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Click here for a printer-friendly version of the Assisted Living FAQs.
No one wants to give up his or her home and the lifestyle enjoyed over the years. But HCF offers an Assisted Living Program that not only provides independence, freedom and peace of mind, but also provides the added convenience and security of transportation, home maintenance, meals, 24-hour security and more. The HCF Assisted Living Program is specifically designed for those who are not ready for the intensive level of care found in a care community, but cannot manage the daily tasks of living alone.
Q: What is Assisted Living?
An HCF Assisted Living community is a special combination of housing designed for individuals seeking companionship, security and assistance/supervision with the activities of daily living, in a caring homelike environment that promotes and enhances independence as long as possible.
Q: Who is Assisted Living designed for?
Assisted Living is a unique approach that brings families peace of mind. For adult children who worry about a parent living alone, or for an elderly husband or wife whose spouse is experiencing a health challenge, assisted living is truly a choice to feel good about. It is ideal for those who are not ready for the intensive level of care found in a care community but cannot manage the daily tasks of living alone.
Q: When will I know that it is time to consider Assisted Living?
Many factors may play a role in your decision. Some considerations include:
Residents or families generally pay the cost of assisted living from their own financial resources. Some types of long term care insurance may reimburse for all or a portion of the assisted living cost.Q: What types of services are provided in an HCF Assisted Living community?
Q: What belongings should we bring when moving in?
The residents suites are their homes. We encourage our residents to furnish their own suites and decorate them to suit their personal tastes.
Q: Can I take my loved one away from the assisted living community on a trip?
Yes.
Q: May I have friends come and visit?
Residents friends and family are always welcome. We encourage residents to utilize our common areas for family gatherings and activities with friends.
Definitions
Making the right health care decisions is imperative to the well-being of our residents and their families. In the confusing health care world, new terms can often overwhelm residents who simply dont understand health cares unique terminology. Listed below are many of the terms youll hear when discussing you or your loved ones care as a resident at our care community. Its our hope that this knowledge will help you, your family and our dedicated staff communicate effectively when discussing your stay with us.
ADLs - Activities of daily living.
Ambulatory Care - Outpatient medical services (not provided in a hospital).
Assisted Living - is a special combination of housing and personalized supportive services, designed to respond to an individuals needs. The needs can range from socialization to activities of daily living to medication administration or special diets.
CMS - The federal agency responsible for Medicaid and Medicare; part of the US Department of Health and Human Services/HHS.
Dual-Eligibles - People who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare.
DME/Durable Medical Equipment - Necessary medical equipment that is not disposable; for example, wheelchairs, walkers, ventilators, commodes.
Enrollee - Person (consumer) who is covered under a health insurance plan, whether fee-for-service or managed care.
Formulary - List of approved prescription medications which health plan pays for.
Gatekeeper - Person, usually a primary care physician, designated by health plan to decide what services will be provided and paid for; approves all referrals, sometimes coordinates care.
HMO/Health Maintenance Organization - Health plan that requires its enrollees to use only certain health providers and hospitals, usually those within its own network.
MCO/Managed Care Organization - Health organization, whether for-profit or not-for-profit, that finances and delivers health care using a specific provider network and specific services and products.
Medicaid - Federal program (Title XIX of the Social Security Act) that pays for health services for certain categories of people who are poor, elderly, blind, disabled, or who are enrolled in certain programs, including Medicaid Waivers. Includes children whose families receive assistance. Is financed with federal and state funds, amount varying by state.
Medicare - Title XX of the Social Security Act which pays for health care for the elderly and adults who are disabled.
Medical Necessity - Legal term used to determine eligibility for health benefits and services. It describes services that are consistent with a diagnosis, meet standards of good medical practice.
Occupational Therapy - Therapists seek to optimize the patients quality of life by improving their ability to perform activities of daily living, or ADLs. ADLs include tasks such as eating, bathing, dressing, grooming, toileting, transferring and home management responsibilities.
PHO/Physician Hospital Organization - Organization that includes hospitals and physicians contracting with one or more HMOs, insurance plans, or directly with employers to provide medical services.
PHP/Prepaid Health Plan - Health organization that receives prepaid capitation payments for a select set of benefits; for example, physician services or lab tests.
Physical Therapy - Therapists seek to improve the patients quality of life by increasing mobility, decreasing pain, improving balance, enhancing strength and reducing joint contractures.
POS/Point of Service Plan - Health plan whose members can choose their services when they need them, either in the HMO or from a provider outside the HMO at some cost to the member. Or a plan in which the primary provider directs services and referrals.
PPO/Preferred Provider Organization - Managed care organization (MCO) that contracts with a network of providers who deliver services for set fees, usually at a discount to the MCO. PPOs usually sell to insurers and employers and do not assume insurance risk.
Quality Assurance - Monitoring and improving health care, either an individual plan or broad health systems review, in a consistent and organized way.
Rehabilitation - To restore to good health or useful life, as through therapy and education.
Reinsurance - Insurance purchased by a health plan to protect against extremely high medical costs, either for specific groups or individuals.
SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility)/Skilled Care Community - where skilled nursing and related services are provided to residents; a nursing home.
Speech Therapy (speech pathology) - Speech therapy helps patients to better understand what is being communicated to them and to regain their verbal communication abilities. Speech therapy also assists in retraining patients to read and write. Additionally, in some cases, speech therapy can help patients whose communication ability may appear to be intact but the patients cognitive and linguistic functions are impaired.
Literature
Knowledge is power. Thats why the HCF Family of Care Communities empowers residents and their families with its own series of free brochures that turn confusing medical information into easy-to-understand help guides. Each brochure answers questions concerning the health care choices facing residents, including tips on visiting friends and relatives at the facility, to caring for someone with Alzheimers disease. Its our way of helping you make the most informed choices in your medical care. We stock many guides and pamphlets, including:
![]() Assisted Living Residence Comparison Checklist |
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Published by OHCA |
Published by AHCA |
Published by AHCA |
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Published by OHCA |
Published by OHCA |
Published by OHCA |
To request literature, call or email HCF at:
HCF
Management, Inc.
1100 Shawnee Road
Lima, OH 45805
(419) 999-2010
(419) 999-6284 (fax)
E-mail: david.walsh@hcfmanagement.com
Links
| American Health Care Association |
The American Health Care Association (AHCA) is a non-profit federation of affiliated state health organizations, together representing nearly 12,000 nonprofit and for-profit assisted living, nursing facility, developmentally disabled, and subacute care providers that care for more than 1.5 million elderly and disabled individuals nationally.
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| American
Health Care Appraisal |
AHCA has the professional capability to appraise, evaluate and respond to most medical equipment, property, and organizational information needs in the health care medical industry.
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| Alzheimers
Association |
The Alzheimers Association is the world leader in Alzheimer research and supportadvancing research, improving services and care, creating awareness of Alzheimers disease and mobilizing support.
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| Association for the Protection of the Elderly |
The Association for Protection of the Elderly works nationwide to directly assist you in getting quality care for your loved one and helps resolve problems with abuse and neglect of the elderly. Ila Swan is a member of A.P.E. and is their representative in California.
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| A.A.R.P. American Association of Retired Persons |
A nonprofit social welfare agency which advocates for the needs of mature, elderly citizens of the U.S. They have a wide variety of large scale projects, services and initiatives.
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The Web site to conduct business with and get information from the government...all in one place! There are links listed which connect to just about every federal government agency. You can find nursing homes and see the nursing home records (whether they have been in compliance), Medicare, Medicaid, food assistance, compare different Medicare plans, Veterans Health Administration, National Womens Health Resource Center and many, many more links. They also include links to government information and services, organized around broad categories (which are shown on the left side of most pages). You can get information on: Benefits (both cash and medical), Health and Nutrition, Consumer Protection, Services (a hodgepodge, including the Postal Service, housing, transportation, etc), Employment and Volunteer Activities, Taxes, Travel and Leisure, Education and Training, Other Links.
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| Aged Care Crisis |
AgedCareCrisis.com is an independent Web site set up for the primary purpose of representing our elderly citizens with regard to aged care issues. We believe that our elderly citizens deserve to be treated humanely and with dignity.
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| AGENET |
AGENET provides a vast resource of information for the elderly with financial, legal, health care and other advice.
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| Aging with Dignity |
Aging with Dignity is a nonprofit organization that advocates for the needs of elders and their caregivers, with a particular emphasis on improving care for those at the end of life. Aging with Dignity believes that the right to age with dignity is not conferred by government. Rather, it is embedded in the heart of every man, woman, and child. Five Wishes is a new form of living will/advanced directive document that helps you express how you want to be treated if you are seriously ill and unable to speak for yourself. It is unique among all other living will and health agent forms because it looks to all of a persons needs: medical, personal, emotional and spiritual. It tells 1) which person you want to make health care decisions for you when you cant make them, 2) the kind of medical treatment you want or dont want, 3) how comfortable you want to be, 4) how you want people to treat you, and 5) what you want your loved ones to know. You can order this form of living will from Aging with Dignity.
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| Alliance for Aging Research |
The Alliance for Aging Research is a not-for-profit advocacy organization fighting for science policies in the nations capital to speed breakthroughs for greater health, vitality and longevity.
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| American Society of Aging |
Provides education and training resources for professionals working in the field of aging.
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| Benefits Checkup - A Service of the National Council on the Aging |
A free, easy-to-use service that identifies federal and state assistance programs for older Americans. Researching these programs used to be a time-consuming, frustrating experience. But no longer. The National Council on the Aging created BenefitsCheckup to help older adults to quickly identify programs that may improve the quality of their lives. Family and friends can also obtain facts about benefits that their loved ones may qualify for. Chances are, you will be surprised to learn what benefits are available to you, regardless of your income.
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| CareGuide |
This site offers resources about aging and elder care, ranging from support with daily living, financial and legal information as well as community support.
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| ElderNet |
A seniors guide to health, housing, legal, financial, retirement, lifestyles, news and entertainment information on the World Wide Web.
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|
Eldercare Locator |
Telephone: 1-800-677-1116 (Mon - Fri 9 am to 11 pm Eastern Time) This is a toll-free telephone number to call. The Eldercare Locator will put you in contact with the Office for the Aging in your area and provide help in locating needed services in your area. (A service administered by the National Assoc. of Area Agencies on Aging and the National Assoc. of State Units on Aging.)
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| ElderSearch.com |
Eldersearch.com is one of the most comprehensive databases for locating senior housing options, geriatric health resources and care options, as well as legal and financial information. There are links to find resources in your area: assisted living facilities, independent living, life care facilities, skilled nursing facilities, home health care, equipment, Alzheimers resources, adult day care, hospitals, hospices, elder law attorneys, geriatric physicians, retirement planners, counselors, and health insurance.
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| Ethical Wills |
Ethical wills are a way to share your values, beliefs, life lessons, hopes for the future, love, and forgiveness with your family and community. This site has information on creating an ethical will.
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| Extended Care Information Network |
Database of information from more than 33,000 long-term care providers. Includes coverage of facilities offering acute care, assisted living services, intermediate care, and skilled nursing; treatment centers for developmental disabilities; pediatric facilities; home care services; freestanding hospices; financial services; outpatient centers; rehabilitation hospitals; retirement housing and continuing care facilities; and senior centers.
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Dedicated to improving the quality of life of the elderly, disabled, caregivers, and advocates through the use of technology and the dissemination of accurate information. Medication dispensers, emergency response devices, remote video monitoring and fall detection devices are available to help promote the safety of the elderly and/or ailing.
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| Grandtimes |
Grandtimes is a weekly Internet magazine designed exclusively for active older adults.
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| Gray Crimes |
The Gray Crimes Project was begun in 1998 and is dedicated to providing highly practical training through dynamic presentations that create new awareness and perspectives in more effectively addressing abuse and exploitation of vulnerable adults and the elderly. Statistics indicate as many as one million cases of elder abuse are reported each year. Much more chilling are clear indicators ten or more times as many such cases go unreported.
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| Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services |
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is a Federal agency within the US Department of Health and Human Services. Programs for which CMS is responsible include Medicare, Medicaid, State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP), HIPAA, and CLIA.
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| Hospice Patients Alliance |
Hospice Patients Alliance is a patient advocacy group that reveals what NO hospice will tell you! Get all the regulations and standards of care covering hospice care. Learn what hospices must provide to the terminally ill. Find out how hospices operate in nursing homes and the dangers health care fraud may pose for your loved one. For free assistance in resolving problems with a hospice, visit their Web site and get the answers you need. Email them for individual assistance. HPA has published the most informative Guide to Hospice Care available. Purchase it online as a book or download it as an e-book. When you need effective assistance in the moment, HPA is there to assist you.
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The Official US Government Site for People with Medicare.
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| Medicare Information Center |
Medicare's own information center for those needing information on all the services provided by Medicare.
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A free, objective and easy-to-use nursing home resource for prospective residents, caregivers and health care professionals. |
| National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys |
The mission of NAELA is to enable elder law attorneys to identify and meet client needs through the exchange of ideas and information on substantive elder law issues and the management of successful elder law practices. NAELA promotes improvement in substantive law, legal education, and ethical guidelines in serving older persons. NAELA serves as a key public policy advocate on behalf of older persons.
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| National Center for Assisted Living |
The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) is the voice of American Health Care Association (AHCA), nations largest organization representing long term providers.
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| National Center on Elder Abuse - NCEA |
NCEA provides elder abuse information to professionals and the public; offers technical assistance and training to elder abuse agencies and related professionals; conducts short-term elder abuse research; and assists with elder abuse program and policy development. NCEA's Web site contains many resources and publications to help achieve these goals. You can find many links to report elder abuse and find more information about protecting the elderly in our national community.
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| National Council on the Aging |
Organizations and professionals dedicated to promoting the dignity, self-determination, and well-being of older persons. With links to may valuable resources for the aging.
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| Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Resource Center |
Helps prevent nursing home abuse and neglect by giving sound advice on how to assess nursing homes and how to pay for care, helps you recognize nursing home abuse and neglect by pointing out the signs of abuse and some of the medical issues involved with nursing home abuse and neglect, and helps you stop nursing home abuse and neglect by informing you of your rights and what you can do, including legal action.
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| Ohio
Assisted Living Association |
The purpose of the Ohio Assisted Living Association is to maintain and promote the growth of quality assisted living in Ohio.
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| Ohio Health Care Association |
The Ohio Health Care Association (OHCA) is proud to represent more than 800 nursing facilities, assisted living communities and intermediate care facilities for the mentally retarded (ICF/MR). The Association was established in 1946 to meet the needs of the states growing number of long-term care professionals, which today totals more than 100,000 exceptional men and women who care for Ohios most frail and vulnerable citizens.
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| Ohios Medicaid Program |
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services provides up-to-date news about Ohio's Medicaid Program.
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| Open Secrets |
Open Secrets is an organization that tells you: Who Gives? Who Gets? US Senators, US Reps, Statewide Officials, State Senators, State Reps
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| OurElders.org |
This Web site was designed to give comprehensive links to Web sites with information and resources for the elderly, as well as information on links to Alzheimers disease-related sites.
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| Our Senior Years |
A resource striving to be the most complete Web site for senior citizens, future seniors, and those who care for them. It is carefully edited, written and maintained by registered nurses who have extensive experience in the field of caring for seniors.
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| Pennsylvania Health Care Association |
PHCA - Founded in 1951, the Pennsylvania Health Care Association, and its sister organization, the Center for Assisted Living Management (CALM), today represent over 300 long term care and senior service providers across Pennsylvania.
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| Pennsylvanias Medicaid Program |
The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare provides current and reliable information about Medicaid assistance.
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Extensive information about pressure ulcers and a legal team to help you. |
| Pressure Ulcer Info From L.A.4Seniors |
This site offers extensive information about pressure ulcers and links to other national resources on bedsores. LA4SENIORS.COM also provides advocacy services for seniors in California.
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| Senior.com |
Information for seniors including health, jobs, computing, homelife, news and more. Many resources which are very helpful.
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| Seniors Search |
The only search directory exclusively for the over-50 age group.
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| The Senior Times |
Your online senior newspaper.
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| United States Administration on Aging - AoA |
You can find the Office for the Aging for your state from this site, plus much, much more! Information on Medicare, managed care, Medigap insurance, long-term care insurance, long-term care facilities, reports on health care fraud prevention programs of the U.S.A. Click on the link to State Agencies on Aging at this site to find your states Office on Aging.
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| Where to Send a Complaint in Your State |
This is a listing of addresses. You can send a complaint to your states offices at the address listed here.
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