How much does Assisted Living cost?
It depends on a few things......A Pre-placement Appraisal, current Physicians Report and meeting your loved one in person. The goal is to find out as much as possible about who they are and what their care needs are. You should not be charged for this assessment. Cost is a combination of Rent and Level of Care. Almond Blossom starts at $3550 per month.
Should I be concerned about the ratio between Caregiver Staff and residents in the facility?
Waiting 30-60 minutes after calling for assistance is too long. When ratios in some facilities are 1 caregiver to 15-20 residents that is exactly what happens. Almond Blossom has the lowest ratio in the industry, 1 to 6 max and as low as 1 caregiver to 3 residents. Waiting for assistance at Almond Blossom is almost non-existent. We are staffed 24/7 awake and on call.
Who will manage all the medication my loved one takes? Can I still be involved?
Upon move in Almond Blossom will manage the entire medication process. This includes communication with the residents doctors office, change orders, pharmacy communication, medication ordering, deliver to the facility, set and administration. Almond Blossom makes charting/observations to determine if a medication is doing it's intended job or the dose is too high. Some families choose to work in conjunction with Almond Blossom, this is ok with us.
How will I find out about health changes with my loved one?
Our licensed Administrators will call you or schedule a meeting to discuss changes and our observations/thoughts. As aging progresses, Almond Blossom is licensed to care for residents that are non-ambulatory, experiencing memory loss as well as Hospice care.
Are Therapies available for my loved one to improve strength and health?
Almond Blossom partners with several home health agencies to provide licensed physical therapy, occupational therapy and other treatments to improve physical and emotional well being right at our facilities. We encourage this and provide the scheduling of these services.
Who manages the scheduling of appointments and doctor visits?
Almond Blossom can schedule appointments, doctor visits and transportation. If you can't be present for you loved ones appointment, we can accompany then so they don't miss and share with you the results. Families who are out town, traveling or live out of the area appreciate this service.
What if it becomes difficult for my loved one to visit a doctors office?
Almond Blossom was the first Assisted Living facility in Chico to offer Palliative Care as an option to our residents. Palliative care is a specialized branch of facility care that provides treatment to residents diagnosed with a serious, chronic or life-threatening illness. Palliative Care can be offered to residents at any stage of an illness. Care is provided under a doctors supervision at Almond Blossom.
Will my loved one like the food served? What about special diets?
Almond Blossom provides a menu that includes the wishes of our residents in a well-balanced presentation. Shopping occurs weekly adjusting to the residents desires and seasonal changes. Meal times provide a flexible window for eating and residents eat their meals at their own pace and there is no rush. The food smells and looks good and is served at proper temperatures. Snacks are available throughout the day. In-room meal service is available for ill residents and special diets can be accommodated.
What is Assisted Living?
Assisted living is a residential alternative to nursing home care. There are 36,000+ assisted living communities nationwide serving more than one million seniors. The Assisted Living Federation of America defines assisted living as a long-term care option that combines housing, support services and health care, as needed.
Why Choose Assisted Living?
Assisted living is often viewed as the best of both worlds. Residents have as much independence as they want with the knowledge that personal care and support services are available should they need them. Assisted living communities are designed to provide residents with assistance for basic ADLs (activities of daily living) such as bathing, grooming, dressing, and more. Some states also allow assisted living to offer medication assistance and/or reminders. Assisted living communities differ from nursing homes in that they don't offer complex medical services.
Is Assisted Living Regulated?
Assisted living is regulated in all 50 states. State regulations generally address the mandatory services a senior living residence must provide. All settings offer 24-hour care and supervision for those who need assistance. Care is provided with dignity and respect.
How Are They Paid?
Assisted living is typically paid for from private funds, but there are a few exceptions. Some long-term care insurance policies cover licensed assisted living. Check your loved one's insurance policy to see if it is covered. In a limited number of states, Medicaid funds and waivers are available to help with assisted living costs.
How Are They Regulated?
Assisted living is regulated at the state level. Because of that, every state has their own policies that define and regulate what care and services are required for an assisted living community to meet the state standards.
Do you provide an activity program?
As early as possible our Activity Director finds out who your family member is....life's work, hobbies/interests and core values. Our goal is to stimulate emotionally, physically and socially. Our Activity Director is present in the facility 5 days a week. Many families are surprised by what their loved ones can accomplish, weather it's something they haven't done in years or a new activity for the first time.
How involved can I be after I move my loved one into Assisted Living?
As much as you would like!! Families that live locally are encouraged to visit and be as involved as they want. Families living out of the area can have regular check in's from our licensed Administrators that oversee all care. Many families chat on the phone often and some use the Skype technology to see their loved one in real time.