FAQs

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

– 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

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.

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.