Residential Care Apartment Complex

What Is A Residential Care Apartment Complex?
    This is an apartment type setting where five or more individuals live and offer independence and control over personal space, care decisions and daily routines.

Who Would Benefit From One?
    Someone who needs some assistance with daily living care and nursing services yet can function in an apartment setting.

What Services Are Provided?
    Up to twenty-eight hours per week of supportive services such as assistance with medication, bathing, dressing, grooming and nursing care are provided.  If a resident requires more than twenty-eight hours of supportive service per week, the tenant can contract with a home health care agency or obtain assistance through informal supports such as friends and family to assist with care needs.  Emergency assistance is available twenty-four hours a day.  Social and recreational activities as well as meals will be available.  Be sure to ask about the services and if there is an additional charge for any of them.

What Are The Staff Qualifications?
    Most facilities will have registered nurses, licensed practical nurses and home health care aides to provide assistance with supportive services.  Ask about the qualifications of the staff and staff to resident ratio.

What Written Documents Must A Residential Care Apartment Complex Have?
    An assisted living facility shall have a written schedule of fees for services which includes: identified charges for rent, meals, cost of services, amount of any entrance fee and facility's refund policy.  The facility also needs to have the following: comprehensive service agreement which identifies the type, amount and frequency of services to be provided by the facility and the charge for the services; a risk agreement which identifies any conditions known by the facility that could put the resident at risk of harm or injury.

What Do I Look For When Touring One?
Be sure to see an apartment and note the spaciousness, bathroom, separate bedroom and living room area and if there is a stove and refrigerator in the kitchen.  The apartment also needs to have its own lockable entrance.  Notice the overall cleanliness and aesthetics of the apartment setting.  Ask about activities, laundry and housekeeping services, storage, emergency call system, staff availability twenty-four hours a day, meal and telephone services.  Also be sure to note some of the following: parking, scheduled transportation, security system and guest parking.  If possible, speak with other residents and ask about life at the assisted living facility.

What Is The Cost?
    Registered and certified facilities will accept only personal funds for payments.  Medicare and Medical Assistance do not pay for these facilities.  Rent and other charges are self-pay. The manager can assist with financial questions.  Be sure to ask if there is a "care charge" for residents needing assistance.

What Is The Credibility Of A Facility?
    Some assisted living facilities will be registered with the state while others will be certified.  The facilities will need to follow state rules and are subject to unannounced surveys by the state.  Ask the manager of the facility you are interested in if it is registered or certified with the state.