Future Care

When determining which level of care is best for you or your loved one right now, ask yourself or your loved one these questions.

• Our Resident Services Director will arrange to meet with you and review your Medical History.
• Have you recently fallen or been injured in your home?
• Do you feel unsafe in your home?
• Have you recently lost or gained a significant amount of weight?
• Would you appreciate help in managing your medications?
• Is your personal hygiene lacking and would you like help in caring for yourself from a professional caregiver?
• Have you recently forgotten to eat or do you frequently skip meals?
• Do you feel safe driving your car?
• Do you worry about injuring yourself or causing damage to your home while preparing meals in the kitchen?

Answering “yes” to these questions may mean that assisted living is the best choice for you or a loved one. A confident “no” may mean that independent living is a good choice or an at-home care program that allows you to manage your own needs with access to future care, could be the best fit for you

Two of the most common types of senior living are assisted living communities and nursing homes, also known as skilled nursing facilities. At first glance, these two options may appear to have a lot in common but with differences in payment options, level of care, and amenities offered, the two care options are very different.

Assisted Living Communities
Seniors in assisted living often live in private apartment homes that they can decorate themselves, even bringing furniture and decor from home. Independence is encouraged in assisted living and many communities offer kitchen and laundry facilities for residents to prepare their own meals and handle their own laundry needs while also providing meal services and housekeeping.

Many assisted living communities offer an activity schedule to encourage resident interaction with regular happy hours, meals, and outings. Additionally, residents in assisted living receive assistance with activities of daily living, such as dressing, grooming, and hygiene. Assistance is available to help when needed.

Nursing Homes
Nursing homes, or skilled nursing facilities, are more fitting for seniors whose needs have advanced past what an assisted living community could offer. Skilled nursing facilities provide around-the-clock care for residents and expert nursing care. Many skilled nursing facilities offer advanced medical care and resources equivalent to what you would find in a hospital, just in a less institutional and more comfortable environment.

Nursing care can be short-term or long-term. Some residents stay in Skilled nursing care while recovering from a surgery or while receiving rehabilitation services after an injury with the goal of restoring the patient to their lifestyle as quickly and as safely as possible. Other residents that are coping with more long-term illness or debilitating disease require long-term stays.

Some Payment Differences
Medicare can help defray the cost for seniors to pay for skilled nursing care if the care is medically required for at least 3 days, but no more than 100 days if the facility the person chooses is a Medicare-certified skilled nursing facility. If you are unable to pay for nursing home services and have minimal assets, you may be eligible to pay for skilled nursing care through Medicaid.

When it comes to assisted living, neither Medicare Parts A or B offer coverage for comprehensive long-term care. Some states may offer some coverage through Medicaid programs but eligibility and coverage differ greatly between states. While payment options do vary in each state, residents in assisted living rely primarily on private pay options since most assisted living communities cannot legally accept public pay. Private pay options for assisted living include using veterans benefits, long-term care insurance, retirement savings, home equity loans, or reverse mortgages.

After deciding a move into senior living is the best option for you or your family member, you will need to determine what type of community will best suit your lifestyle. Determining which level of care will best meet your needs can help you narrow down your list of potential communities.

When touring a senior living community, review these helpful tips to help you walk through the process and make the best decision for yourself and/or your loved one.

Some important notes to consider:

• Before touring a potential community, create a checklist listing services and amenities you would like in a community.
• Take into consideration the location of a senior living community. Is it near your current community? Will loved ones be able to visit regularly? Will you be able to visit them? If possible, bring a family member with you on a community tour.
• Ask questions and be vocal about what you are thinking and feeling.
• Conversations regarding finances, move in logistics, contracts, and more can be a lot to understand at first. These types of discussions are most helpful to have as a team that includes you, a family member or trusted friend, and the senior living representative. Take notes and don’t hesitate to circle back with your senior living representative to ask follow-up questions or to request additional information.

Visiting senior living communities may feel overwhelming. How do you even know where to start? What to ask? These questions can help you decipher what life in each community will look and feel like and help you find the place you want to call home.

APPEARANCE AND PHYSICAL FEATURES

• Is the community a place you could imagine calling home?
• Is the community attractive? Would you be proud to live here?
• Are the community grounds, landscape, and building exterior well maintained and inviting?
• Are there different apartment home/cottage floor plans to choose from?
• What is the lighting like at the community? Is it natural, calming and inviting?
• What does the community smell like?
• Is there an apartment home that you could see on your tour?
• Is the community interior well maintained (freshly painted, clean carpeting, comfortable furniture)?
• Are there common areas for residents to entertain and socialize?
• Is the community easy to navigate and accessible to less mobile residents?
• Is parking convenient?
• How do you feel in the community? Do you feel calm, welcome, and excited about the future?

AMENITIES AND LOCATION

• Is the community located in a desirable area with conveniences nearby (grocery stores, pharmacy, public transit, hospital, etc.)?
• Does the community have a unique location that makes it more desirable (near a university, park, beach, etc.)
• Are pets allowed?
• Does the community offer all the amenities you’re looking for (concierge services, a gym, pool, theater, spa, etc.)?
• Is the food/dining service to your satisfaction?
• Do residents seem to be engaged in social events and taking advantage of community amenities?
• How does the food taste?
• How often are the menus changed?
• What times are the meals served?
• Is there a cafe or bistro option? What about a coffee shop?
• How are meals served (buffet style, restaurant, etc.)?
• Is there an extra charge for certain amenities? If so, which ones and how much will they charge?
• Do the apartment homes have cable TV?
• Does the community have wireless internet?
• Is there a computer room?
• Are there onsite classes or lectures for residents?

CARE SERVICES AND TERMS OF RESIDENCY

• How do the staff members treat each other and residents?
• Do the residents seem happy and living their best life?
• Was the staff able to answer your questions clearly and sufficiently?
• Was the management team well-staffed, experienced, effective, friendly, and personable?
• Ask to review any sample contracts or any agreements the community would have you sign before move-in.
• Will residents need to move if needs change over time? Or, is the community able to meet a wide range of needs?
• What exactly is included in the monthly service fee?
• What is the best way for you to make a payment?
• Will a payment reminder be sent by the community?
• Is there a grace period for payment?
• How does the community handle utilities? Who will pay for them?
• Are there certain visiting hours for friends and family?

We know our communities are great. We know because our residents tell us. But, the truth is, there is no such thing as a perfect community. It doesn’t exist because the perfect community looks different for each person. The needs of each resident are as different and unique as our services and offerings. That’s why we encourage every one of our future residents to stop by for a tour, ask questions that will help you gain a greater understanding of community life, and, ultimately, find the one that will best fit your retirement lifestyle. Bring this checklist with you and stop by any of our communities today.

Silverstone Living’s communities, Hunt Community and The Huntington at Nashua, are non-smoking campuses. Smoking is not permitted in the buildings or anywhere on our campuses.

Your animal friends are always welcome! We welcome birds, fish, dogs and cats.

Independent living and assisted living communities often off the same amenities may initially look very similar. Typically, they both offer robust life enrichment programs, dining services, team members are available 24-hours a day, concierge services, housekeeping, transportation, and much more.

The real differences between the two lie in the level of medical care being provided by the staff. In independent living, residents do not rely on the staff for medical care. Independent living meets the needs of seniors who can live safely on their own but desire a community environment. They manage their own medications and do not require assistance with activities of daily living, like dressing or bathing. Assisted living is primarily designed to meet the needs of seniors who are no longer able to live safely on their ow

The list is long, but here are a few of the many benefits associated with living in a Life Plan Community.

• Enhanced social life (combating isolation or loneliness)
• Additional recreational opportunities
• Concierge Services
• Choices in dining venues with Chef-prepared meals
• Help with housekeeping duties
• Reliable transportation
• Increased peace of mind
• Security both for financial peace of mind and round the clock security

If at all possible, visit the various life plan communities in person. So much information can be gained with a visit. Talk to members of the community. Stay for a meal. Tour the apartments, homes, wellness services and health center if applicable. Next, ask for documentation. Specifically, request any resident agreements, itemized services and contracts, fee sheets, and health (or physical) assessment forms that would be necessary to sign. Request a copy of the social or activity calendar. Ask what fees would need to be paid up front and what fees would be optional along the way.

Your Silverstone Senior Living Sales Advisor will have all these items ready during your appointment; however, never hesitate to ask additional questions or spend extra time discussing any topics that need further clarification.

A Life Plan Community is a senior living community that offers tiered lifestyle and healthcare options all on one campus. These types of options can include independent living, assisted living, and skilled nursing services. Life Plan Communities provide active lifestyle options to older adults through their comprehensive services and amenities.

Our two Life Plan Communities are Hunt Community and The Huntington at Nashua. Both are located in Nashua, New Hampshire. Each Life Plan Retirement Community offers a wealth of daily living choices to its residents, from dining and educational programs, to exercise opportunities and recreational activities, and beyond.