Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some websites with helpful information on the transition to an assisted living community.
Sections include:
General
Q. What is Assisted Living?
A. Assisted Living is a special combination of housing, supportive services, personal assistance and health care designed to respond to individual needs of those who need help with activities of daily living.
Q. What are Activities of Daily Living?
A. Daily activities that an individual needs to care for themselves such as; taking medications, personal hygiene, dressing, and mobility assistance.
Q. How do I get started in making health care decisions for myself or loved ones?
A. Get started by including your primary care physician in the decision-making process. He or she can tell you about your loved one’s physical, mental and emotional well-being so that you can start to understand what care will be the most beneficial.
Q. What should I think about when moving a loved one into an assisted living setting?
A. Making the move out of one’s home can be one of the most difficult decisions you make. To help you and your loved one get acquainted with the facility, make sure you discuss these items with the health care providers so they can help make the transition as smooth as possible.
Q. Visiting my loved one at a long-term care center is difficult. How can I make it more enjoyable and fulfilling for both of us?
A. Visitors are very important to our residents, and a well-planned visit can be rewarding for both of you. When visiting a loved one, talk to the staff about the best time to visit your loved one. Coach your children on what to expect, and plan an activity such as working on a photo album, writing letters, playing cards or a game, or eating a meal together. If your loved one can manage it, plan an activity outside of Woodland.
Resident Needs/Assessment
Q. How is it determined as to whether or not Woodland can meet my loved ones’ needs?
A. Our Resident Care Director will work closely with the resident, his/her family and his/her healthcare providers to carefully evaluate the resident’s needs. A personalized care plan will be completed and followed by staff. This care plan will be updated annually or with change of condition.
Q. What happens if his/her needs change and more help is needed?
A. First, it is only natural for one’s need to increase with aging. Second, each resident is carefully monitored to ensure that all needs are met consistently. Third, Woodland has an Aging in Place philosophy. Accommodations beyond our Assisted Living Service Plan can oftentimes be made.
Q. Can you care for my loved one with incontinence, mobility issues, confusion, etc.?
A. Yes, Yes, Yes. Our staff is highly trained and able to care for a variety of needs.
Q. What can you do to keep my confused loved one safe?
A. Woodland is a fully secure facility. Our commitment to safety is unparalleled. We have the most advanced, restraint-free alarm system in place to safeguard those with dementia and confusion from leaving a safe environment without supervision. Also, one-on-one staffing is an option for residents just entering the facility who need additional support to adjust. One-on-one staffing is also a possibility for residents who are experiencing increased confusion due to a temporary condition such as bladder infection.
Q. How does Woodland schedule bathing, dressing, medication, etc.? Can changes be made?
A. Again, Woodland staff works closely with the resident to determine his/her preference. Accommodations are made accordingly.
Q. What steps will the facility take if my loved one is showing difficult behavior?
A. Please know that Woodland employs experienced and compassionate staff trained to handle a variety of behaviors. Every attempt will be made to evaluate why the resident is displaying difficult behavior. For example, is he/she sick? In pain? Lonely?
Q. How often is the apartment cleaned?
A. Apartments are cleaned daily.
Q. How often will my loved one be checked on? What if my loved one has a history of wandering?
A. This determination is made on an individual basis. Some residents may be very independent and request infrequent monitoring while others may require 15-minute checks.
Personal
Q. What can my loved one bring to personalize his/her apartment?
A. This is their home and we encourage our residents to furnish and decorate the apartments in a way that makes them comfortable.
Q. Can he/she have visitors? Can he/she leave with friends?
A. This is our resident’s home. As such, visitors are welcome at any time. Likewise, our residents are able to come and go as they desire.
Q. Can my loved one keep a pet?
A. This determination is made on an individual basis depending on what kind of pet it is, whether the resident has the ability to care for it, and whether or not other residents would be bothered by it.
Q. Can I bring a pet to visit?
A. Pets are welcome so long as they are manageable.
Q. Can my loved one keep their car?
A. Absolutely. If the resident has a valid driver’s license and has insurance on the vehicle, he/she is welcome to keep the vehicle at Woodland.
Staffing
Q. Is staff available 24 hours a day?
A. Woodland has staff on-site 24 hours a day.
Q. How many staff members are on duty for a shift?
A. Staffing varies per shift based on resident needs. In addition to on-site staffing, a member of management is available 24 hours a day to respond to an increased need.
Q. Is staff trained to deal with dementia, wandering, diabetics, etc.?
A. Yes, our staff is highly trained.
Healthcare/Medication
Q. How are my loved one’s health conditions monitored?
A. Individualized Care Plans are created upon admission and updated periodically thereafter. These care plans give the staff guidelines for providing care.
Q. Is there a doctor on staff? A nurse? A therapist?
A. While there is not a doctor on staff, Woodland maintains a close relationship with all of the local physicians. Several of the local physicians will see their patient at Woodland should circumstances warrant. Also, Woodland staff has 24-hour access to an on-call physician.
Woodland also works closely with an exceptional home health nursing staff. Nurses are in the facility frequently and are accessible around the clock.
Woodland does offer an effective exercise program. Beyond that, residents are able to contract with local home health agencies for therapeutic needs.
Q. Is medication management provided?
A. We can provide complete medication management ensuring medications are taken properly. We will coordinate prescription refills between physicians and the pharmacy.
Q. How are prescriptions filled? Can I use my own pharmacy?
A. Woodland prefers to utilize LT Pharmacare to maintain consistency in medication systems. However, residents are able to utilize the pharmacy of their choice.
Charges
Q. What is the cost?
A. Prices vary based on the service plan and apartment size.
Q. What is provided for that cost?
A. Services are all-inclusive. Please review the Care Programs page.
Q. What are additional costs for services? Supplies? Medication?
A. We do not have a "fee for service;" all services are included in the monthly charge. Residents are responsible for their personal supplies and medications.
Q. What initial payments are required? Is it refundable?
A. There is no fee to be on the waiting list. A deposit of $1500 is required to secure an apartment. This deposit is applied to the first month’s rent.
Q. How often are the fees changed? How much advance warning is provided?
A. Woodland will occasionally implement a facility-wide cost of living increase. This is an infrequent occurrence and a months’ notice is provided. A program change due to increased needs may cause fees to change. Typically, this change will also be after a months’ notice. A significant change in condition (stroke, fall resulting in hospitalization) may result in a program change more quickly.
Q. Does my insurance cover the cost? Medicare/Medicaid? Are there any programs that will help?
A. Woodland is a private pay facility. Medicare and Medicaid do not cover the cost, however there are several programs that may help, such as Long-term Care insurance and Veteran’s Aid and Attendance. Our Executive Director can provide additional information about possible benefits.
Q. Is renter insurance required?
A. Additional insurance is not required.
Q. Will there be a refund if my loved one is on vacation? In the hospital? Discharged?
A. Refunds are not given while the resident is on vacation or in the hospital and expected to return to the facility. Should the resident be unable to return to Woodland, a refund will be issued from the time the resident’s apartment is emptied.