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 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.

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.  

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.

There are a number of bridge-loan options 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 in that 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 warm and charming communities to learn more.

As compared to home living, studies indicate that it is actually a safe option to live in a senior living community.

Senior living communities operate with a group of trained professionals that are prepared to handle emergencies and promote a 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 in order to stay ahead of risks. 

Safety remains our top priority. Our communities follow the rigid safety protocols recommended by the WHO, CDC, and local health departments, and our residents may need to follow enhanced health and safety protocols to reduce the spread of infectious diseases.

Fortunately, our communities are supplied with technology to keep residents connected, even during periods of social distancing.

We have modified our programming to promote the health and wellness of our residents during the global pandemic. Our communities have introduced more digital, interactive social opportunities to ensure our residents are engaging safely.

Our Current Visitation Policy as of June 10, 2022

For everyone’s safety, we require visitors and team members to wear a mask in our communities. We understand that masking rules have generally been relaxed outside senior living communities, but masks remain a requirement inside communities such as ours.

• All visitors will be asked a set of health questions and temperature screening upon entering the community
• Visitors must wear surgical masks and can be in common areas and resident apartment homes
• Visitors can be guests in the dining room

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.

Many individuals and families have questioned if moving into a senior living community is the right choice.

Although the global pandemic has provided a level of uncertainty into our daily lives, our communities have acted intentionally to safeguard the wellness of our residents. Along with following the recommendations of the WHO, CDC, and local health departments, below are some key reasons why moving into a senior living community makes great sense now:

• Supplies of daily living are handled for you. There’s no need to worry about accessing highly populated grocery stores for food, medicine, and other necessities.
•  Programming has been modified to allow for safer, social connections and meaningful events. This allows residents to enjoy each other with peace of mind.
• We partner with testing labs to certify frequent testing of staff and residents. This, along with strict infection control policies, allow our residents to live vibrant lives.