FAQs

Assisted Living frequently asked questions

What are the admission requirements?

Prior to admission, the following must be completed:

– A face-to-face assessment completed by one of our nurses
– The facility will contact the primary provider’s office to get appropriate health information, signed medication orders and admission orders
– Documentation of completed TB test or chest x-ray taken within 90 days prior to admission.  TB test can be administered upon admission if the documentation is not available
– Medications to be blister-packed per DHS 83
– Copies of Power of Attorney, advanced directives, insurance card, Medicare card, social security card, and photo ID

What should a resident bring with them when moving in?

– Toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste)
– Laundry basket & hangers
– Clock
– Cable ready television
– Wastepaper basket
– Toilet riser, wheelchair, walker or other assistive devices, if needed
– Clothing labeled with first and last name
– Extra bed pillow and pillowcase, if desired
– Up to $200 to start a petty cash account
– Incontinence products, if needed
– Glucose testing kit, if needed
– Furniture
– Room decor & bulletin board, if desired
– Dishes & silverware for personal use in your room

What is a CBRF? (Community Based Residential Facility)

A CBRF provides housing for mature adults including a personal apartment (usually a studio apartment), meals, utilities, laundry, housekeeping, maintenance and personal assistance with activities of daily living including but not limited to: dressing, medication administration, and monitoring, bathing, walking and transferring, incontinence management, etc.

Many communities offer assistance with chronic conditions such as Diabetes, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and dementia. Staff are generally available and awake to serve residents 24 hours per day and staffing to resident ratios are often greater than those found in RCAC’s, where residents are more independent and less in need of personal assistance. Residents of CBRF’s have the opportunity to participate in social settings and scheduled daily activities. Each Community offers different services, so it is important when visiting communities to ask for a list of the services provided. Remember to consider what is important now and what may become important during the aging process.

CBRF’s generally care for residents from the time of admission through the end of life. Ask what types of cares a community will not perform and what (if any) types of cares or behaviors would force a move to a more advanced level of care, such as a skilled nursing facility. Change becomes more difficult during the aging process and can negatively impact mental status, physical ability, and mood, especially in those with dementia. It is important to make the best CBRF choice to avoid future moves or changes in residency.

What is the difference between Assisted Living Facilities and Nursing Homes?

The main differences between assisted living facilities and skilled nursing homes are the level of care a resident receives and the cost of the care.

Assisted living facilities are typically staffed 24 hours per day (many with certified nursing assistants) and can call an ambulance or doctor, but they cannot provide medical care themselves.

The focus of assisted living is to limit isolation and provide a comfortable living and socializing environment where older adults can live with a great deal of independence and privacy while knowing personal assistance is available 24 hours per day.

Skilled nursing facilities are staffed with registered nurses and physicians and are able to immediately provide medical care.  Nursing homes offer the most medical care and supervision for older adults outside of a hospital.  Some examples of reasons seniors might need skilled nursing care would be if they require tube feeding or a respirator.

Both assisted living and skilled nursing provide assistance with activities of daily living such as:

  • Medication administration & management
  • Meals
  • Housekeeping
  • Laundry
  • Incontinence management & assistance
  • Dressing & bathing
  • Transferring & mobility
  • Socialization & activity programs
  • Exercise & wellness programs
  • Chronic disease management such as: Diabetes, Parkinson’s Disease, Alzheimer’s Disease and other related dementias, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, etc.
Which facilities accept Private Pay and/or County Funding?

Each of our facilities accepts private pay and county funding.

What is Health Care Power of Attorney (HCPOA)?

A Health Care Power of Attorney is a document that allows you to designate a person (an “Agent”) who will have the authority to make health care decisions on your behalf if you are unconscious, mentally incompetent, or otherwise unable to make such decisions. You can also express your wishes regarding whether you wish to receive “life-sustaining procedures” if you become permanently comatose or terminally ill, in the Health Care Power of Attorney document. This will help your agent to know your wishes as he or she makes decisions for you. You should discuss the Health Care Power of Attorney with the Agent, expressing your wishes, values, and preferences regarding health care.

A Health Care Power of Attorney is different from a Living Will because it allows you to appoint someone to make health care decisions for you. A Living Will only allows you to express your wishes concerning life-sustaining procedures.

Living Wills and Health Care Powers of Attorney are considered “Advance Health Care Directives” because you’re giving instructions on what you’d want to happen in the event that you become unable to make health care decisions in the future.

Even if you have executed a Health Care Power of Attorney, you still have the right to give medical directions to physicians as long as you are able to do so. This document only becomes effective when you do not have the capacity to give, withdraw or withhold informed consent regarding your health care.

What is Durable Power of Attorney?

A “durable power of attorney” is actually a health care power of attorney that contains special durability provisions. If you become mentally incompetent while you have a power of attorney document that’s already in effect, a durability provision will allow the document to stay in effect.

You can sign a durable power of attorney document to prepare for the possibility that you may become mentally incompetent due to illness or an accident. In this case, you would specify that the power of attorney wouldn’t go into effect unless a doctor certifies that you are mentally incapacitated.

It is important to choose someone you trust to be your Agent, as they will be acting on your behalf regarding your financial or health care issues. You should choose someone who won’t abuse the powers you grant to them and will look out for your best interests.

What is the definition of being Mentally Competent?

In order for a power of attorney document to be valid, you must be mentally competent when you sign it. This means that you must understand the powers that you are granting to your Agent and the implications of having someone else make decisions for you.

If you have signed a “durable” power of attorney document, it will either remain in effect or go into effect if you become mentally incompetent. Your mental competence is determined by two licensed physicians agreeing on your mental capacity.

Even if your document doesn’t set specific requirements, it’s still likely that your Agent will have to get a doctor’s written confirmation of your incompetence. Most organizations won’t allow your Agent to act on your behalf without it.

How does the Doctor decide if you are Mentally Competent?
Who signs the Power of Attorney document?

A power of attorney must be signed by the person granting the authority (known as the “Principal”). The Principal must be mentally competent at the time of the signing in order to make the document legally binding. The signature on a power of attorney should also be notarized, which makes it harder for someone to challenge the validity of the signature.

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Assisted Living by Hillcrest offers qualified full service assisted living, specializing in Alzheimer’s and dementia care at our residences in Green Bay, Brillion, De Pere, and Lakewood, WI.