Assisted Living
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June 2006
My relative is 56, very ill (not recovering), living alone, not
eating, unable to care for herself. She has dwindling resources,
but is not quite down to the $2000 in the bank that would make
her eligible for SSI; she applied for SSI Disability last month,
but that process could take months or years.
I'm seeking recommendations for any nice assisted living
community /board-and-care in the East Bay that will a) take in
someone near to the end of their finances, b) and then take SSI
once it kicks in, and c) take someone who is under 60 but
disabled. Would also be interested in a public social worker who
assists in making this type of placement.
Specific recommendations (or info on places you hate) would be
most appreciated.
Thank you!
worried relative
That sounds like a very difficult situation for your relative,
and it is good of you to make sure she is taken care of. In
terms of assisted-living vs. board & cares, board & cares are
generally much less expensive, but they provide more individual
attention -- definitely a bargain! Placement agencies could help
you find some within her budget (or within your budget, if you
are able to help her out). I found my dad's place through
California Registry 800-777-7575. Other placement agencies that
gave me recommendations were Placement Services (800-348-1979)
and Jan Oldenburg (925-699-2295). I don't know if any of them
deal with non-seniors, but you could call and find out. They
were all very helpful to me...and there was no charge for their
services.
One other thought: is she by any chance terminally ill? If so,
she may qualify for hospice, and that could make a difference in
the services you could afford.
I hope you can get her the help she needs. Good luck!
anon
March 2006
Hi-
My father-in-law (living in Rossmoor, currently) is getting
more fragile and would like to live in an assisted living
residence close to us (5 mile radius from Albany/Berkeley).
Does anyone have any recommendations for a decent place that is
not horribly expensive and in the area? Additionally, does
anyone know of a short term assisted living residence (month-
long is okay) while he recuperates from a bad fall? Thank you
for your replies.
Eugenie
You say your father has asked for an assited living facility because he's getting frail.
If you are interested in alternatives, there are ways he can live independently with some
precautions for his state. I've heard about a system that basically uses motion sensors
and a computer to track the status of seniors in their homes-- checks things like if
they've taken their medication, daily activities, etc. and reports to you if there are
any changes you need to know about that could indicate a fall, illness, if it's too cold
or hot in the home, etc. If this sounds like it could be an appealing and workable option
for you, check out QuietCare online. If not, I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful!
Jessica
Many assisted living evnironments have rooms for temporary stays
while someone is recovering from an injury. You could check with
Claremont House or Piedmont Gardens in Oakland. Generally the
larger facilities will be the ones to offer this option. Assisted living situations are
not inexpensive, but, after all,
you are paying for 24 hour care. The pricing will really depend
on the amount of assistance someone requires. Please contact me
if you need help selecting one: there's lots of assistance
through CANHR (wwww.canhr.org): they have ratings on assisted
living facilities and also information on how to select one. Joanna Smith, LCSW, MPH,
Healthcare Liaison. (www.healthcareliaison.com)
joanna
We have just been through the temporary recuperation from a fall part of your question
with our frail elderly. The over 60 clinic on Ashby X Sacramento is helpfull. A nurse
took us aside and quietly recommended that we drive the extra time over to the
Rounseville. (40th X Broadway) It was an inconvenient commute from Berkeley for us twice
a day was all we could manage with kids etc.
They were very nice and she liked the taste of the food. They pureed everything to avoid
choking problems....she missed the texture of course and was anxious to get home and have
a martini, but they were very good there and trained us in fragile skin care etc.....
I think all of these places are depressing and scarey. Maybe there is a better place but
that is what someone in the know recommended to us.
It is very clean and the staff is sweet.
El Cerrito Royale in El Cerrito is a very good center with
several levels of assisted living. The rates vary and there are
some HUD spaces at the facility, although you will have to check
on current availability. My mother was there for five plus years
and received wonderful help and care, including dining,
medication ordering, storage and monitoring and delivery,
entertainment, dining, cleaning, laundry, transportation to
doctors clinic and errands, etc. A very nice staff and facility
which has recently been redecorated. This is technically a board
and care facility, which may affect your choice, as it is not
literally a nursing home or classified as a SNF (Skilled Nursing
Facility). The prescription givers are med techs. The location is
less than 3 miles from Berkeley, and an easy commute. Recently Lost Mom
February 2006
I am looking for senior housing options for a friend. She is 84
years old, and relatively active, but slowing down. She is
currently living in a house but is having trouble keeping up
with maintence. I was hoping to find something like an apartment
with van serivice and medical staff available. She currently is
in okay health, but I would like to find a facility that has an
independent living accomodations and more options for more
assistance as her needs change. Thanks. Lisa
My mom lives at Lake Park Retirement Residence @ 1850 Alice St.
in Oakland. Near the Scottish Rites Temple, a block from Lake
Merritt. At Lake Park you ''buy in'' to what they call ''Life Care''.
You pay for your apartment (different apartments, different
prices) plus a monthly fee which goes up slightly every year
based on cost of living increases. Meals, activities, medical
needs, etc. are all included.
As you need more care, it is available at no extra cost. So...my
mom lived in her studio apartment independantly for 3 years.
SHe had a kitchenette in her apartment where she ate breakfast.
For lunch and dinner she went downstairs to the main dining room
and ate with friends (fairly good food in my opinion).
Then she moved down to another apartment (same) on the assisted
living floor where she was for about a year. Now she is in her
own room on the skilled nursing floor (my mom is almost 93 and
has progressive old age dementia which developed over the last 2
years). She is very well taken care of.
Lake Park is clean, big, lots of activities and the staff there
could not be more wonderful.
Your mom can go and visit and stay for 2 days...they will put
her up and assign her a buddy, so she can get a feel of what it
might be like to live there. My mother was certain she would not
like it till she spent 2 days and made friends and found that
her life would be busy and happy, as opposed to the very
isolated life she was living in her big house that she could no
longer take care of in New Hampshire.
It was a big move for her but she adjusted well.
There are many other great places too....Piedmont Gardens,
Claremont House (across from the Rockridge Shopping Center) St.
Paul's Towers (near the lake too) and I'm sure others.
I suggest you call these places and go on a tour yourself before
bringing your mother. Good luck. If you would like to talk more
about Lake Park or how we decided on that vs.others, please e-
mail me. Good luck.
june
July 2003
I have looked at the archives on assisted living, but was hoping
that there might be someone out there that currently has a
parent or grandparent that lives in an assisted living facility
in the East Bay. I would like to find a nice place for my
grandmother whom is independent but needs to have someone on 24
hour call. I am interested in any advice or opinions on the
following homes: Montego Heights Lodge in Walnut Creek, Merrill
Gardens in San Ramon, Moraga Royale, The Bershire in Berkeley,
or any other nice facility that I might have over looked. The
criteran would be: within 30 miles driving distance of Alameda,
Friendly competant staff, clean, home-like atmosphere, a large
independent room w/ private bath, great diabetic meals, and
where more care is available if needs change in the future.
There are so many to choose from... Help! Any advice would be
grealy appreciated.
Thank You,
Melissa
we recently put my grandmother in a board and care home in El
Sobrante that my family just loves. They have many of these
types of places everywhere. If you want specifics, feel free to
e-mail me and I can get the referral information to you. My mom
got a list from Kaiser with all the local places around her
house. Great food, 24 hour care, and 3 elderly woman in the
home with my grandmother being the youngest at 93. they are
usually run by phillipino nurses, since they can't work in a
hospital with license from another country , but they are fully
qualifed.
Kerri
We were very happy with Summerville at Creekside in San Pablo.
My mother lived there for three years until she needed to move
to a nursing home. Amount of care is limited, but the community
atmosphere is excellent, with many people still essentially
caring for themselves. Size is big enough for social variety.
There are many activities and regular concerts at the home.
Outings on the house bus are available regularly. Food is
decent. Phone number is 510-236-1444.
Wendy
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