Frequently Asked Questions

Assisted living communities provide caring support and wellness services to residents who need assistance with personal care, coordination of health care services, medication management, and other services. Our goal is to help seniors continue to live as independently with a little bit of help when needed.

Our caring staff combines specialized training with programming techniques designed for those with cognitive impairment delivered in a comfortable residential setting. The team in each community’s memory care neighborhood includes a Memory Care Director, Life Enrichment Coordinator, spiritual care services, and care giving support staff.

Our innovative and engagement-focused memory care program is based on the I’m Still Here® philosophy. This evidence-based approach is founded on the belief that every person in need of memory support, dementia care or Alzheimer’s care is fully capable of experiencing a high quality of life, regardless of the severity of memory loss. Residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia are fully supported and inspired to be confident, capable of learning and growing, and encouraged to create.

In general, senior living communities offer the following services and amenities:

• Housekeeping
• Laundry services
• Meal services
• Medical care
• Social activities
• Transportation
• Utilities
• Wellness programs 

Services and amenities also vary between communities, and touring a community is the best way to learn more. Set up a personalized tour today.

In general skilled nursing facilities provide 24/7 professional, short-term rehabilitative stays and long-term skilled care in a comfortable, home-like setting. Our person-centered care approach values each resident as an individual, preserving their dignity and supporting their independence as much as possible.

 Services Include:

• 24-hour licensed nursing
• Physical, occupational and speech therapy
• Long-term residential care for higher levels of medical services
• Post-surgical care, including IV therapy and pain management
• Specialized wound care

Elder Care Alliance is a non-profit organization which means our purpose is social impact and benefit for the public good. Because we do not have shareholders or owners, our bottom line is not profit-based but to serve and enrich the lives of older adults, rooted in holistic wellness.

We are a 501(c)(3) organization, also called a charitable organization. This means we must follow a strict set of federally regulated requirements such that none of the organization’s earnings can benefit any private shareholder or individual.

In non-profit senior living, profits are dedicated to operation costs, meeting the needs of residents and upgrading the non-profit senior living facility. And due to a non-profit senior community’s 501(c)(3) status, communities are held accountable by state and/or federal agencies on how profits are allocated.  

Known as a Continuing Care Retirement Community, a CCRC is a place where you have access to multiple levels of care on a single campus. The primary benefit of this kind of community is called a continuum of care, and it’s designed so you can likely stay in the same place with the same people even if your health changes down the road.

This takes the worrying about having to relocate to a senior living community that provides a different kind of care service as you age. Now you can sit back, relax and enjoy your retirement years with the peace of mind you deserve.

Yes, a couple can live together in assisted living. Most assisted living communities offer private suites that accommodate two people, and couples may also opt to share a single suite. In some cases, different types of care may be needed for each person, which can be provided in an assisted living setting.

In general, the costs include a monthly fee for the apartment, level of care fees for any services needed, and ancillary charges for other services. The main cost considerations are location, number of services offered such as housekeeping and dining, and amenities provided such as fitness gyms and pools. Additionally, the health care needs of a resident can also influence cost, as a higher level of care may require more healthcare services.

To learn more about the costs of our communities, please call and schedule a personalized visit today.

In California, there are some Medicaid-waiver assisted living communities, but in general, assisted living is generally paid privately or potentially through long term care insurance (if it has been purchased). While Medicaid can help to supplement assisted living costs, not everyone is eligible and benefits vary from state to state. 

To learn more about senior living resources and how we can help please call and schedule a personalized visit today.

The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) offers senior care benefits to help aging veterans. Like other military aid programs, the VA will determine eligibility at the point of application based on a number of factors.

Schedule a meeting with one of our warm and charming communities to learn more about resources that the VA can provide.

Several bridge-loan options are available to help cover senior living costs until monies from the sale of real estate are available. For example, the Elderlife Bridge Loan was created to help seniors and their families with the cost of assisted living, home care or skilled nursing on a short-term basis. Periods typically range up to 12 months, but sometimes longer. This loan is unique because up to six family members or friends can share the cost of paying for an elderly individual’s care.

Schedule a meeting with one of our communities to learn more.

Respite care provides short-term relief for primary caregivers. It can be arranged for an afternoon or several days or weeks. Care can be provided at home, in a healthcare facility, or at an adult day center.

Please speak with one of our team members for more information about respite care at our communities.

Moving into senior living can be an exciting but also nerve-wracking experience. Most communities will assist with the moving process, including help with packing and unpacking. Moving day can also be a great time to meet new neighbors and explore the community. Once you’ve settled in, most communities will have a wide range of activities and amenities for you to enjoy. From social events to fitness classes, there are plenty of ways to settle into your new home.

Compared to home living, studies indicate that senior living is a safe option. Senior living communities operate with trained professionals prepared to handle emergencies and promote wellness and social programming where you can live an enriched life rather than living in isolation in a separate home.

We remain vigilant with disinfection protocols that are in lock-step with the WHO, CDC and local health department recommendations to ensure the ongoing safety of our residents. We continue to research the latest products to advance these efforts to stay ahead of risks.

One way to make your loved one feel at home after they move into senior living is to create a personalized space for them. Decorate their room with pictures of friends and family, bring familiar items like their favorite chair or a blanket they love, and plan a few activities to make them feel welcome. Additionally, make sure to visit often and take time to talk and listen to your loved one so they know you are there for them.

It’s all going to depend on the individual. Try to avoid visiting daily. Visit every other day or every three days, or just once a week. Knowing that you support them and you’re just a phone call away can be more than enough to ultimately provide the comfort he or she needs to relax in their new home.

Our Current Visitation Policy as of April 10, 2023

For everyone’s safety, we recommend visitors and team members to wear a mask in our communities. We ask that you wear a mask if you have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 in the past 10 days.

• All visitors will be asked a set of health questions and temperature screening upon entering the community

If you have any questions about the COVID vaccine or other COVID-related news, guidelines, and recommendations, we encourage you to visit trusted sources like the CDC website.