Frequently Asked Questions
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There are important things to consider when choosing a senior living community such as culture, quality of services, levels of care, location, and price, just to name a few. Here is a list of frequently asked questions residents and families have asked us as while in the process of choosing a CiminoCare community.
Question: Is your community an assisted living, board-and-care home, or a nursing home?
Answer: Most of our professionally managed communities provide assisted living and dementia care services and are licensed residential models providing personal care, medication management, life enrichment activities and meals. Our regional team and home office provide additional support such as training, quality assurance, and nursing oversight. A board-and-care home is a home with a small group of residents, usually six or less where care, chores, and meals are provided by a caregiver or live-in support. Skilled nursing facilities are designed for people who need 24-hour licensed nursing care or rehabilitation services.
Question: What levels of care do you provide under your assisted living license?
Answer: CiminoCare believes in a person directed approach to care, meaning our levels of care are based on what each resident needs and wants. We offer five levels of care include support for all personal care, activities involved in daily living, transferring, medication oversight, and care coordination. The goal is to help residents with the care they need so they have the energy and desire to participate in the programs and social activities offered each day. Our levels of care pricing include care, oversight, and supplies.
Question: How does the pricing work?
Answer: Our residents and family members tell us they appreciate our reasonable, simple, and transparent pricing structure. We have five levels of care that are based on the types of services and care required for each resident. We review the physician reports and conduct an assessment, and from this information, we assign a level of care. The price for that level of care includes everything: your meals, housekeeping, life enrichment activities, supplies, medication oversight, and care coordination. We will reassess levels of care as needs change. You will never have surprise charges on your bill. Rates depend on the location, room type, and level of care. We balance quality care with reasonable pricing and will always share pricing with you, so please give us a call.
Question: Do you provide short term stays or respite care?
Answer: Most CiminoCare communities provide opportunities for short term and respite care. These stays are usually between one week to 30 days.
Question: Insurance pay for any of the services?
Answer: For the most part, health insurance does not pay for assisted living services. However, there are some long-term care policies that pay for a portion of the care and we will work with you and your insurance company to verify coverage. CiminoCare also works with other hospital and healthcare third party payers, PACE Programs, and the State of California Assisted Living Waiver Program to provide full or partial payment for residents who are having a difficult time finding the right care situation either because of ability to pay or level of care.
Question: What is the Assisted Living Waiver?
Answer: The Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) is a State of California program that provides financial assistance for a limited number of older adults at risk of needing skilled nursing care and who are MediCal eligible. CiminoCare participates in the program in several of its communities in order to help those who are able to benefit from its care and services.
Question: What is Assisted Living?
Answer: Assisted Living is for seniors who need additional support and services especially with personal care, medication management and coordination of health care services. The additional benefits include socialization, dining services, life enrichment activities and the relief that someone is there 24 hours a day in case there is a need. Levels of care assessments allow for care services to be increased or decreased over time, as needed. Assisted Living communities in California are licensed as Residential Care Communities for the Elderly (RCFE).
Question: What is Memory Care?
Answer: Memory Care offers specialized care and services for residents with Alzheimer’s disease or related conditions. CiminoCare offers both designated Memory Care communities as well as integrated programs as part of our assisted living programs. In addition to all of the services provided in assisted living, memory care programs are focused of what is important to each resident, each moment. Team members understand the importance of meeting the residents where they are at, to seek to understand behaviors and to always act with compassion, dignity and respect. The familiar routine, programs and activities allow residents to feel relaxed and supported. Families also become part of our community, we support each other as we look for creative ways to bring joy and laughter to residents.
Question: Do I Need to Change Doctors?
Answer: No. When you move to a CiminoCare community you keep your own doctors. If you are moving from out of town, we do have physicians and clinicians that see other residents and we are happy to give you some referrals.
Question: Can I bring my own furniture?
Answer: Yes. We want your room or apartment to feel warm and comfortable. Oftentimes people are downsizing from a larger place, so keep that in mind when you are deciding what to bring, especially if you are sharing a room. We will provide you with some suggestions on what to bring – usually residents start with the few things that bring the most memories and comfort.
Question: Can my family and friends visit?
Answer: Yes. Our community becomes your home when you move in. We do have house rules that we ask residents and guests to follow so that everyone can enjoy the community. Right now, visitation has been modified to help with the potential spread of the coronavirus. We are allowing scheduled visitations in selected areas of the community.