assisted living

A Sign For Improvement In Assisted Living Care

Posted by admin on February 26, 2015   |   No Comments

A recent Denver news story has shocked many caring for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and various forms of dementia. A serious incident with a fatality occurred between two residents living with Alzheimer’s while under the care of a corporate owned and managed memory care facility. Sadly, this is not surprising to many elder care advocates based on the current regulations for assisted living and especially memory care. In Colorado and other states there is not a required ratio for qualified care professionals to residents. Each community can determine how many staff they want to employ during a shift based on their subjective view of meeting the needs of the residents. Specific to this news story, both residents shared the same room even though it was known and documented previously by the care facility that there were serious physical and verbal altercations between the residents and no apparent effective corrective action was taken by the corporate care facility. The resulting outcome was traumatic with serious legal implications.

Stay tuned to your local news resource in Colorado for more information on this specific case as it develops. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is conducting their investigation. For families in search of care facilities with strong reputations regarding their care environment please contact the Ombudsman office from the Area Agency on Aging which is part of the Denver Regional Council of Governments. Once a loved one is admitted to a community, please be vigilant on managing their care or hire an advocate to monitor the quality of care being provided.

http://www.9news.com/story/news/crime/2015/02/24/assisted-living-home-death/23935225/

How to Select and Negotiate for Long Term Care

Posted by admin on August 26, 2012   |   No Comments

National Assisted Living Week will be recognized this year during September 9-15. I have received many inquiries from families in need seeking information to find the best long term care accommodation options. 1.5 million people are currently living in U.S. skilled nursing and assisted living communities. Due to Colorado’s scenic beauty and ample sunshine, the state is attracting a growing older adult population with diverse care needs.

To ensure that you are selecting a long term care community that meets the specific needs of your family it is worth the time to conduct due diligence on the community, its ownership, and care process. Basic reconnaissance can be accomplished by contacting the Ombudsman Office to talk with the local Ombudsman who is assigned to that specific residential community. In addition, there is a lot of fundamental information that can be obtained by visiting the community unannounced during different times of the day and week. This will allow you to see firsthand how the residents are being treated, quality and quantity of food available, cleanliness of the property, and staff interaction with residents and other staff members. You may even witness a specific behavior or a situation occurs that allows you to see how a staff member manages the issue.

Health facilities and residential care communities are regulated by the state and must meet minimum standards established by state and federal laws to receive licensing as well as federal funding if they are serving Medicare/Medicaid residents. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has a web site that enables you to view inspection and occurrence reports. These reports can be quite revealing in terms of the quantity and type of incidents that have occurred at a property as well as how situations were handled by management. This web site also allows you to view training that staff completed which may be relevant to your selection process (i.e. dementia care certification). http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/hf/alr/index.html

Some families may opt to utilize the services of a referral agency to locate the most appropriate care community. Keep in mind that many of these agencies promote that they are a free service. They typically receive their payment directly from the residential care community as a referral fee/commission. Many times that fee equals one month of rent. As a family member, you want to ensure that you are not being steered toward a community that offers a higher referral payment.

Unfortunately, many times families do not have the luxury of time to conduct thorough research during the selection process due to a health crisis. During these situations, time is limited and stress levels are increased. Families may not completely read or understand all of the language contained in the admissions contract. It is critical to have proper time allocated to review the contract or have an advocate review and negotiate on your behalf. The admission process is when you have the most control over the type and quantity of care services and their corresponding cost for the individual you are seeking care. You should use this time period to your advantage during the admissions process.

Be aware of common language that may be included in your admissions contract but is prohibited by the federal Nursing Home Reform Law. For example, a family member or friend can not be personally liable for all nursing home charges. Financial guarantees are prohibited by law. Furthermore, most contracts state that all disputes will be handled through an arbitration process instead of the court system. The arbitration process may be in the favor of the long term care provider. It usually is in your best interest to negotiate removal of that clause from your admissions contract so that you will have the leverage of the court system if ever needed. Make sure you understand their eviction process and the language that is stated in your contract gives your family the flexibility you need. The excuse that a behavior is too difficult or care needs are too time-consuming may be improper reasons for evictions depending on the specific circumstances. By law, nursing homes are obligated to provide the level of care that the residents require. http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/pdf/uscode42/lii_usc_TI_42_CH_7_SC_XVIII_PA_A_SE_1395i-3.pdf

There are multiple checklists available to the public to assist in selecting the proper care community for your loved one. By spending the appropriate due diligence upfront, it will save you time, money and many hours of frustration in the future.

To read about the Evolution of Assisted Living, visit Colorado Health or click here. 

 

Preserve the Rights of Those Living With Alzheimer’s

Posted by admin on April 26, 2012   |   No Comments

We continue to hear in the media the devastating statistics about Alzheimer’s disease.

 #1 –  It is currently the 6th leading cause of death in the U.S. and the only cause of death in the top 10 that cannot be prevented, cured or slowed down.

#2 – Every 68 seconds someone develops Alzheimer’s disease.

#3 – Over 5 million people are affected now by Alzheimer’s and it’s anticipated that 16 million will be living with the disease by 2050. 

#4– Currently, 15 million people are unpaid caregivers and that number will rise to 45 million by 2050. 

Fortunately there are more organizations specializing in training and support for the disease that is currently affecting 1 of every 8 Americans.

The Best Friends Approach™ to Alzheimer’s and dementia care offers a proven philosophy of care for caregivers and any person interacting with someone affected by Alzheimer’s and other related brain disorders. This organization conducts training for assisted living communities, local chapters of the Alzheimer’s Association and adult day centers. The basis of their approach focuses on socialization as the primary treatment of Alzheimer’s. They provide simple techniques for caregivers that can be incorporated every day to ensure that dignity and independence is the cornerstone of all care provided. 

The Best Friends Bill of Rights has been created to guide caregivers on how to be sensitive to the needs of those living with Alzheimer’s and dementia. This document should be a guide to care for individuals living at home as well as assisted living communities. If you are looking for a residential community for your loved one, you should ask if they promote the   Best Friends Approach™ to Alzheimer’s and dementia.

An Alzheimer’s Disease Bill of Rights

Every person diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder

deserves the following rights:

  • To be informed of one’s diagnosis
  • To have appropriate, ongoing medical care
  • To have expressed feelings taken seriously
  • To be free from psychotropic medications, if possible
  • To live in a safe, structure, and predictable environment
  • To enjoy meaningful activities that fill each day and to be outdoors on a regular basis
  • To have physical contact, including hugging, caressing, and hand-holding
  • To be with individuals who know one’s life story, including cultural and religious traditions
  • To be productive in work and play for as long as possible
  • To be treated like an adult, not like a child
  • To be cared for by individuals who are well trained in dementia care

 

The Evolution of Assisted Living

Posted by admin on September 12, 2011   |   No Comments

National Assisted Living Week is recognized during September 11-17, 2011. Data from 2010 states that there are approximately 6,315 professionally managed assisted living communities nationwide with approximately 475,500 apartments. The number of older Americans (persons 65 years or older) will more than double by 2030 compared to 2000. Approximately 72.1 million people or 19% of the U.S. population will be 65 by the year 2030. Due to lack of construction financing for senior housing during the U.S. housing crisis, the supply of available communities has been reduced. With a growing senior population that will be living longer, the senior housing industry expects more residential care communities will be needed to handle the increased demand. This rise in residents will be reflected in an evolution of service offerings to cater to the diverse resident base found in these communities. Communities will be created to be places where people want to live not where they need to live due to physical, emotional or mental health issues.

Some trends that are occurring now in these communities and will continue to evolve are specialized memory care units. As the fifth leading cause of death for those aged 65 or older, Alzheimer’s disease will affect 16 million Americans by 2050. Alzheimer’s disease requires an enormous time investment from the caregiver. If those living with the disease can afford it, they can live full-time in an assisted living environment that specializes in Alzheimer’s and dementia.

The average monthly cost to live in an assisted living community is $3,270/month. This is for basic level of care. Prices vary greatly depending on location, room size, amenities, health issues and services offered. Personal finances affected by the U.S. economy combined with the cost to live in an assisted living community have brought about another industry trend – the timing when caregiving transitions from the family to a residential care community. To save money and delay the need to move into an assisted living community many seniors and their families are choosing to retrofit their own home to keep their loved one at home for as long as possible. This has led to the recent boom in home modifications for elder safety.

7 out of 10 individuals say that they are caring for a parent. 36% say that the person they are caring for lives with them. 55% of caregivers have been providing care for over 3 years. This has led to another trend. People are joining assisted living communities at an older age when health issues are more prevalent. Care coordination and communication between medical providers and family members is essential to ensure that a resident is getting quality medical care. Many assisted living communities are embracing third party partnerships with professionals in the community that can provide additional services to enhance each resident’s experience and improve quality of life. Independent patient advocates or medical navigators along with other health and wellness professionals are examples of third party partnerships.

You will begin to see more communities utilizing technology solutions for monitoring residents and communicating with medical providers. Some communities will cater to ‘environmentalism’ and promote their renewable and sustainable building products and living environment. Organic foods and gardening will be available at some select communities.

Several communities are already extending their reach to the local community. They are offering programs and services to individuals not residing at the assisted living community. For example, adult day care and geriatric medical providers are now located within some assisted living communities. Additional services that support the elderly still living in their homes will be offered at local assisted living communities. This provides another revenue stream to the communities and gives those living at home (future potential residents) an opportunity to see and experience the assisted living community firsthand.

Another trend you will continue to see is a continuum of care. Many communities want their residents to be able to ‘age in place’ and not have to relocate to another facility due to a decline in health and increase care needs. ‘Enhanced Assisted Living’ communities will have licensed nursing care available 24/7. A primary care manager may also be available for each resident to encourage individualized, relationship-based care.

The Eden Alternative, developed by Dr. Bill Thomas, has a philosophy for culture change in this industry that will continue to resonate and take hold within communities. The primary concept is to create a living environment for elders that will nurture them rather than being an institutional facility for the frail and elderly.

Assisted living communities have certainly evolved over the past 25 years to provide a myriad of choices for consumers and a more positive living environment for the elderly.

Dr. Bill Thomas has coined a term called Eldertopia which I hope many assisted living communities will embrace and find ways to incorporate within their own four walls.

Eldertopia/ell-der-TOE-pee-uh/noun: A community that improves the quality of life for people of all ages by strengthening and improving the means by which (1) the community protects, sustains, and nurtures its elders, and   (2) the elders contribute to the well-being and foresight of the community. An Eldertopia that is blessed with a large number of older people is acknowledged to be “elder-rich” and uses this wealth to advance the good of all.


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