| Questions & Answers |
| Q: |
What is the age range for people in assisted living facilities? |
| A: |
Residents in assisted living facilities are usually seniors. The average age is 84 with the range being between 70 to over 100! Top |
| Q: |
What is the difference between independent living and assisted living? |
| A: |
Independent living is for active seniors who are able to manage their own activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, medications and grooming. The major difference between independent and assisted living is the availability, in assisted living environments, of nursing care as one's needs change. Licensed nurses are on duty for a certain number of hours each day to administer medications and attend to health needs and emergencies. Caregivers help with dressing, toileting, mobility and other everyday needs. Independent living is offered at Country Meadows and assisted living is offered at Alpine Wayand Clearbrook Inn. Top |
| Q: |
What kinds of meals does Encore serve? |
| A: |
Encore Communities' facilities are complimented daily for the quality and variety of the food they prepare. Our chefs are known and recognized throughout the community for their culinary excellence! Prime rib of beef, shrimp, oysters, gourmet vegetables, cheesecake and mile high pie are just a few examples of the fine food that Encore's award winning chefs prepare daily.
Our chefs can also provide modified diets for residents with special dietary needs, and a second entree is provided to offer residents a choice in meal selection. Top
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| Q: |
How do people pay for retirement and assisted living care? |
| A: |
The majority of our residents pay privately, using monthly pension, social security income, retirement savings and investments. Many residents sell their homes and have this nest egg to rely on. Long term insurance varies greatly; some policies will pay for their assisted living while others do not. Medicare does not pay for assisted living.
Many retirement communities insist you "buy-in" or pay a large monthly maintenance fee. This means you will have to invest a sizable amount of money up front prior to moving in. On top of this, they may ask for a monthly fee as well. We, at Encore Communities, believe your finances should be your own to manage - we do not require a buy-in, large down payment, or disclosure of finances.
The cost for retirement and assisted living at Encore Communities is less than you might expect since most of the monthly bills (water, electricity, food, gas, etc.) are included in the rent. Plus, you are served three delicious meals every day.
For information about Encore entrance guidelines, please visit About Encore. Assisted living is offered at Alpine Way
and Clearbrook Inn. Top
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| Q: |
What kinds of activities are available during the day? |
| A: |
At Encore Communities, people do anything and everything that they might have done at home, but with the added security of skilled and trained staff available for support 24-hours a day.
People in our assisted living communities enjoy interacting with their peers while attending numerous and unique activity events offered in and out of the facility. Examples of activities include card games, exercise and craft classes, musical entertainment, trips to museums and plays, etc.
Encore Communities even offers special events like luaus, free educational lectures by healthcare professionals, parades, and patio barbecues. Encore Communities is involved in community events as well; Harrison Hospital's Festival of Trees,
Arthritis Walk, Fundraising for
Clear Creek Train, Enhancements
and Olympic College Nursing
Program Scholarship. With all of these activities to choose from, you have the option of being busier than ever before.
We will make sure you receive a copy of an activity calendar during your tour so you can see if your personal interests are included. For more information visit our Fun & Activities and Events Calendar! Top
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| Q: |
What is dementia? |
| A: |
Dementia is a name for behaviors associated with damaged or affected brain tissue. These behaviors may include memory impairment, reasoning inability, frustration, agitation, depression, isolation, wandering and repetitive motions and actions. Alzheimer's Disease is the most common type of dementia.
Due to the types of behavior traits associated with Alzheimer's Disease, spouses and caregivers may find providing care to be very taxing. At this point great consideration should be given to finding a facility with a safe and secure Alzheimer's/dementia unit. To learn more about the innovative GENTLECARE™ program, please visit Alpine Way. Top.
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| Q: |
What services do the nurses provide in an assisted living retirement community? |
| A: |
Nursing services vary at assisted living facilities. The nurses at Encore Communities provide very comprehensive services to our residents. Nurses supervise activities of daily living for bathing, dressing and grooming. Medication administration, monitoring of individuals' overall wellness, diabetes management including blood glucose tests and insulin injections, are only a sample of the care provided. We also provide ostomy care, monitoring of heart and lung disease, and care after strokes, falls and fractures.
Nurses at Encore assisted living communities are on site 24-hours a day which is not typical for retirement centers. Encore Communities is the exception! Top
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| Q: |
How do the nurses make sure each person's needs are taken care of? |
| A: |
At Encore Communities our Registered Nurses meet with the resident and his/her family members to complete an assessment prior to moving in. We coordinate with the physicians, pharmacy, and other health care providers to ensure that all concerns and needs are met. A plan of care is then developed for the nursing staff to follow.
If a resident's needs change, so does the plan of care. A prime component of Encore Communities' plan of care is the regularly scheduled care conference. Conferences include nursing staff, resident and family members and allow an exchange between all regarding goals, progress and concerns. Top
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| Q: |
Are assisted living retirement communities licensed? Inspected? By whom? |
| A: |
The State of Washington, Department of Social and Health Services (D.S.H.S.) license and regulate all assisted living facilities. Encore Communities' facilities are reviewed annually by the D.S.H.S. team of inspectors who arrive, unannounced, to critique our entire operations. Encore Communities has a history of excellent state surveys, which we would be proud to show you at any time. Top |
| Q: |
During an emergency, is there a way for residents to call for help from their apartments? |
| A: |
Facilities have different emergency response systems. Be sure to ask about this specifically during the tour. All Encore Communities' assisted living apartments are equipped with intercoms and emergency call systems. There are pull cords in the bathrooms in addition to intercoms in the living areas. These systems are monitored 24-hours daily by nurses and support staff who can expertly respond to a crisis and provide assistance. Top |
| Q: |
Are there outdoor areas for recreation and relaxation? |
| A: |
Outdoor areas vary at the different facilities. At Encore Communities we offer beautiful outdoor grounds for residents to enjoy. Seasonal colorful landscaping surrounds patios, walkways and seating areas. Our residents enjoy patio parties and barbecues in the spring, summer, and early fall. We recognize and encourage the need to enjoy fresh air and sunshine in the beautiful Northwest. Top |
| Q: |
What things should I look for when I visit retirement and healthcare facilities? |
| A: |
You should find a friendly and helpful face the moment you walk into a retirement and healthcare facility. This person should take time to talk with you, answer your questions, and provide you with an in-depth tour of the facility.
While touring, notice all aspects of the environment - is the facility clean and well maintained, do the people that live there seem happy and "at home", are the staff members you meet helpful and knowledgeable about the services they provide, are there areas where people can visit in addition to their apartments, do the dining rooms appear warm, comfortable and inviting?
Be sure to ask to look at the copy of the facility's latest D.S.H.S. state inspection survey, a copy of the activity schedule, menu and brochure. Ask if you may have lunch or dinner in the facility in the near future, and expect nothing but the best when you do. Take your family or friends along and ask them to imagine what it would be like for you to live there. Top
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| Q: |
What is sub-acute care? |
| A: |
A step down from emergent care, sub-acute care can be found only at hospitals and skilled nursing facilities. Northwoods Lodge was a fore-runner in the provision of this care and continues to be recognized by physicians and hospitals as a leader in the industry. For please visit our Northwoods Lodge page. Top |
| Q: |
What is a skilled nursing facility? |
| A: |
Once referred to as nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities (SNFs) have evolved in the services they provide. Rehabilitation and intense 24-hour nursing care are the key elements making up these services. Another critical element of a SNF is a review by the Department of Social and Health Services. Northwoods Lodge has received the highest award possible from the DSHS review, the rare "zero-deficiency" survey for 1998 and 99. Top |
| Q: |
The term rehabilitation confuses me, what does it mean in a health care facility? |
| A: |
Rehabilitation is a support process residents go through as they return to their former level of abilities while regaining strength and endurance. Encore Rehabilitation Center at Northwoods Lodge has licensed and credentialed physical, occupational and speech therapists who provide extensive support and guidance to residents to help them achieve or surpass their rehabilitation goals. Top |
| Q: |
I have heard the term ADLs referred to before, what are they? |
| A: |
ADL, an acronym for Activities of Daily Living, is a common phrase used by healthcare providers in an evaluation process of a potential resident. A provider will determine an individual's ability to bathe and groom him or herself as well as take care of personal hygiene needs. Encore Communities recognizes that people have a variety of abilities in providing their own care and can provide the assistance needed to supplement the missing strengths a person has. Top |
| Q: |
Aging in place... I have heard this mentioned before and am curious as to what it means.
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| A: |
A natural progression of life changes occur as one ages. Encore Communities believes strongly that a person does not have to move each time he or she is faced with a change because of age. Encore Communities was the first on the Peninsula to develop the Continuum of Care concept, allowing people to enjoy the comfort of their own homes for as long as possible, by providing increased levels of care to accommodate the aging process. Top |
| Q: |
What is continuum of care? |
| A: |
It is the resources that a retirement complex provides while addressing changes in persons as they age. At Encore Communities' Silverdale Campus, a person can move into Country Meadows, an independent retirement complex, have a health care challenge and be transitioned to Clearbrook Inn Living Center for assisted living services. If a further decline arises, Northwoods Lodge will provide 24-hour nursing care. If the healthcare challenge is only temporary, an individual will have priority placement at Northwoods Lodge and return home without having traveled more than two blocks.
Alpine Way provides a wide range of services allowing the transition from independent to assisted living and, if needed, Alzheimer's or dementia care. These services are all offered under one roof, an ideal concept in anticipation of life's possible transitions. Encore always allows for priority placement into its assisted living facilities for individuals already living in another Encore facility who find themselves needing the aid that a 24-hour licensed nursing staff can provide. For more information, please visit Support Services. Top
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| Q: |
What are ancillary services? |
| A: |
Ancillary means, in essence, extra. Relating to retirement living, ancillary services are usually those other than rent and meals. At Encore Communities we have an easy to read "ancillary menu" of additional services that we offer for you or a loved one. These services include a visit to one of our beauty shops, additional nursing care, foot care, and the rental of our guest suite for visiting family and friends . The exact cost of these services are included in the "menu". Top |
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