Senior Resource Focus

This is one in a series of monthly columns to familiarize LW residents with the vast array of resources available to them. Each article will focus on a topic of interest as researched by Member Resource Liaison Robann Arshat. This one is on elder care advocates. The goal is to help residents better manage the challenges often associated with aging and to keep people at home and healthy for as long as possible.

Assisted Living vs. Board & Care Facilities

An assisted living facility or assisted living residence is a housing facility for those who are no longer able to care for themselves because of age or a progressing illness. These two types of facilities are far better than nursing homes or convalescent homes, which are now called skilled nursing facilities. Hiring a caregiver 24/7 can cost as much as $20,000 a month. Both assisted living and board-and-care facilities offer 24 hour care, three hot meals and snacks, personal care, full housekeeping and Secure Memory Care.

There are no lengthy leases, and some offer a respite option.

Who pays for Assisted Living?

1. You or your family pay for your assisted living occupancy.

2. Long-term care insurance can pay for part or all of the monthly fee, depending on what type of insurance you have. Check with your long-term insurance provider to find out what you have.

3. Veterans during war time and their spouses may be eligible for VA Benefits that can help pay for assistance living fee obligation.

4. The Assisted Living Waiver Program can also be an option for those who are on Medi-Cal.

Assisted Living Waiver Program

www.calregistry.com/assisted-living-waiver/

This is a Medi-Cal program that can help with the cost of assisted living.

Eligibility requirements: 1. Assistance required with at least three activities of daily living (eating, dressing, bathing, toileting, mobility, medication management, etc.).

2. Full scope Medi-Cal eligibility with zero share of cost; 3. Care needs equal to those of Medi-Cal-funded resident living and receiving care in nursing facilities.

NOTE: The list is now at a three-year wait to get approval.

Assisted Living & Memory Unit

• Large hotel/resort type facility (some also offer independent living).

• Houses 100-plus residents.

• Extra cost for your personal level of care.

• Age in place.

• Approximately one caregiver to 12 residents—more of an independent living style.

• Activities, formal dining room, movie theater, gym, hair salon, scheduled group outings and more.

• Laundry service or self-service laundry room and full housekeeping service.

• Medication management and distribution. $5,000-plus starting for studio apartment; memory care, $6,000plus to start; prices vary from facility to facility/city to city and level of care.

Board & Care (also called Residential Care Facility for the Elderly or RCFE)

• Single family home in a residential neighborhood.

• Six residents maximum per home; family setting; residents and staff become family.

• Includes all level of care, personal care and memory care.

• Age in place.

• One caregiver for every three residents (more hands-on care).

• Activities vary per household.

• Full laundry and housekeeping service.

• Medication management and distribution. $3,800 to start and up to $7,000-plus. Prices vary depending on shared or private room and from home to home/city to city.

Local Assisted Living & Memory Care Locations

There are 440 assisted living locations in Orange County and the following local locations are where some of LW shareholders have moved. However, you have the option to move anywhere in the United States.

• Bixby Knolls Towers, Long Beach, (562) 426-6123, www. bixbyknollstowers.org.

• Brookdale, Brookhurst Street, Westminster, (844) 816-7995,

www.brookdale.com.

• Brookdale, Chapman Avenue, Garden Grove, (844) 600-8732,

www.brookdale.com.

• Brookdale, Valley View, Garden Grove, (714) 898-3524, www. brookdale.com

• Carmel Village, Fountain Valley, (714) 962-6667, www. wellquestcv.com

• Crescent Landing at Garden Grove Memory Care, (714) 895-9898, www.frontiermgmt.com.

• Grove at Cerritos, (562) 219-3860, www.srgseniorliving.com.

• Huntington Terrace, Huntington Beach, (714) 845-7664,

www.mbkseniorliving.com.

• Katella Senior Living Community, (562) 596-2773, www. katellaseniorliving.com.

• Merrill Gardens at Huntington Beach, (714) 408-9659, www. merrillgardens.com.

• Oakmont Senior Living, (657) 205-2810, www.oakmontofhuntingtonbeach. com.

• Sea Cliff Assisted Living, Huntington Beach, (714) 847-3999,

www.seacliffassistedliving.com.

• Sunrise Huntington Beach, (562) 536-3032, www.sunriseseniorliving. com.

• Sunrise Seal Beach, (562) 434-9932, www.sunriseseniorliving. com.

• Villa Redondo, Long Beach, (562) 434-9932, www.villaredondo. com.

• Westminster Terrace Senior Living, (714) 902-9835.

•WestmontLiving, (619)320-6551, www. westmontliving.com. There are approximately 523 Board and Care (RCFE) homes currently in Orange County. The best option for up-to-date information is to contact a placement agent.

A placement agent is a person who can help you find the right fit for a client’s needs. The service is free as agents receive a commission from the chosen facility.

Agents do all the research for people to find their best options. In some cases, agents are able negotiate price. Utilizing the expertise of a placement agent can provide a great advantage to people because it saves time and money to find the perfect fit for yourself or a loved one.

The GRF Member Resources department has met and interviewed the following placement agents.

These agents are part of the National Placement and Referral Alliance (NPRA), which is a nationwide organization that holds these agents to the best business practices, fairness, ethics, morals and professionalism to serve seniors and their families.

NPRA Placement Agents

• Above & Beyond—Cathy Gaertner, (949) 791-9227, www. aboveandbeyondrs.com.

• Alliance Eldercare—Derek Mannion, (949) 870-7816 or 1(800) 936-4241, www.AllianceEldercare.com.

• American Senior Home Finders—Donna Rybacki, (949) 278-0155, www.AmericanSeniorHomeFinders.com.

• Clear Choice Senior Services—Linda Armas, (714) 404-8210 or 1(800) 409-1917, www. ClearChoiceSeniorServices.com.

• Senior Living Placement—Joy Legaspi, (714) 325-6398.

• Senior Placement Hotline—Fernanda Fletcher, (714) 828-9437.

• Vicki Hines Senior Services—Low Income Placement, (949) 615-4340 (direct or text).

Council on Aging So CA Ombudsman Services

1(800) 300-6222 www.coasc.org

The Assisted Living Ombudsman is an advocate and may act as mediator in an attempt to resolve problems that arise between an assisted living facility and one or more of its residents.

Anyone can bring a complaint before the ombudsman. The complaint can be on behalf of a specific resident or on behalf of residents as a group.

For more information, visit the brochure display in the Building 5. (See story, page 1, for more information.)

Residents can book appointments to learn more by calling Robann Arshat at (562) 431-6586, ext. 317.