Need help finding a facility in the 757

Melissa Mink

Hello friends, 

We are in the virginia beach area and are looking for any assistance with finding a memory care facility for my mother and father in-law that accepts new patients where they can live together and most importantly live if they are non-ambulatory (meaning they may not be able to walk or get out of bed). 

We are currently in Atria however, they will not let my mother in-law back in until she is able to walk however, she was recently denied rehab due to her disposition (agjitated and she has dementia) and is trying to heal a fractured femur. Also, my father in-law is her soul mate and lives with her at Atria's Memory Care Unit as he has Alzheimer's. 

So long story short we are looking for a facility for the both of them. 

Any help is grately appreciated!

Warmest, 

Melissa

loveskitties

You might want to contact your local council on aging and see if they have any recommendations based on your specific needs.

It sounds as if you need a dedicated memory care facility rather than one attached to s sr. living community.  Many of those have limitations as to how much care they will give in memory care unit.  You will also want one which will accommodate them to the end.

harshedbuzz

Melissa-

I agree with the previous poster about reaching out to the Area Agency on Aging. Another option would be to reach out to a local Alz support group as members there are generally going to be the best source of what's available in real time. 

That said, it may be difficult to find a MCF that will accept a new resident who in not ambulatory- many places have that as a requirement (along with the ability to self-feed) to join their community even when they will allow a resident to age-in-place with the expectation that family will provide private aides and hospice to supplement as their care needs increase. 

When a BIL was in a similar situation with his mom and his wife's aunt, they found it cost effective to set them up in a rental unit they owned and bring in 24/7. His wife was able to cover care in emergencies so that worked for them.

HB

Norma W

Hi Melissa.  We just placed our LO at The Gardens of Virginia Beach over on Wesleyan Drive.  They have assisted living and memory care.

I'm not sure of their availability though.  We're happy with the care over there, very friendly folks and the place is very clean.

Good luck!

Emily 123

Hi Melissa,

You can go to the state website and look at what each facility is licensed for by city here:  

https://www.dss.virginia.gov/facility/search/alf.cgi

 Check the drop down definitions.  When it runs the search and you select a facility it will list the level of care they provide.  (But of course, always best to ask.)

My Mom's at Bickford VB by the courthouse, but they only do 1-person assists.  We liked Baylake, which I believe could do hoyer lifts. 

Brookdale, which is right next to the Gardens, was nice. I liked The Gardens as well but my mom was very set on having a living room & bedroom that felt separate and they only had the small studios. available at that time.

Good luck!

Melissa Mink

Ah thank you! I made the mistake on thinking this was my local chapter's discussion board. Thank you so much for the recoomendation. I'll check with them. I appreciate it so much. 

loveskitties wrote:

You might want to contact your local council on aging and see if they have any recommendations based on your specific needs.

It sounds as if you need a dedicated memory care facility rather than one attached to s sr. living community.  Many of those have limitations as to how much care they will give in memory care unit.  You will also want one which will accommodate them to the end.

Melissa Mink

Thank you for the recommendation. I'd love to look for a rental however, the market in the va beach area is insane. I'll reach out to my local chapter. Thank you so much! 

harshedbuzz wrote:

Melissa-

I agree with the previous poster about reaching out to the Area Agency on Aging. Another option would be to reach out to a local Alz support group as members there are generally going to be the best source of what's available in real time. 

That said, it may be difficult to find a MCF that will accept a new resident who in not ambulatory- many places have that as a requirement (along with the ability to self-feed) to join their community even when they will allow a resident to age-in-place with the expectation that family will provide private aides and hospice to supplement as their care needs increase. 

When a BIL was in a similar situation with his mom and his wife's aunt, they found it cost effective to set them up in a rental unit they owned and bring in 24/7. His wife was able to cover care in emergencies so that worked for them.

HB

Melissa Mink

Thank you Norma, 

I have put The Gardens on my list! Thank you so much! 

Norma W wrote:

Hi Melissa.  We just placed our LO at The Gardens of Virginia Beach over on Wesleyan Drive.  They have assisted living and memory care.

I'm not sure of their availability though.  We're happy with the care over there, very friendly folks and the place is very clean.

Good luck!

Melissa Mink

Hi Emily, 

Thank you so much! I had Bickford on my list. I think that my MIL and soon my FIL will need a 2 person or hoyer lifts in the future. Since we need to move them together it makes it harder to find a place that they both can be together til the end. 

I'll put Baylake on the list! And just curious how are you liking Bickford. We live close and I'm thinking of doing some part time work for them just to help the Alz community. 

Thank you so much for your help and your time. I really appreciate it!

Emily 123 wrote:

Hi Melissa,

You can go to the state website and look at what each facility is licensed for by city here:  

https://www.dss.virginia.gov/facility/search/alf.cgi

 Check the drop down definitions.  When it runs the search and you select a facility it will list the level of care they provide.  (But of course, always best to ask.)

My Mom's at Bickford VB by the courthouse, but they only do 1-person assists.  We liked Baylake, which I believe could do hoyer lifts. 

Brookdale, which is right next to the Gardens, was nice. I liked The Gardens as well but my mom was very set on having a living room & bedroom that felt separate and they only had the small studios. available at that time.

Good luck!

Emily 123

Hi Melissa,

We do like Bickford--I think they're still understaffed, but usually responsive.  Very clean, residents look well cared for, staff are super-nice. They even have their own dog, and the SPCA does visits with dogs every week.  They have a married couple on staff now that started out volunteering but they told them they wanted to pay them!   If I have a complaint it would be that on the weekends (when I can visit more easily) there will be a few minutes wait to get in or out because the staff may be busy with residents.  More stressful bringing mom back, as she gets all impatient in the foyer. I bet they'd love to have you!

Melissa Mink

Emily, 

That's great to hear! Everywhere seems to be understaffed where caregiving is concerned. But I'm happy to hear that you like it there. And yes, I could see how it could be stressful when waiting in the foyer to go back home. Thank you so much for the info! I really appreciate it! Hope today was a good day for you and your family. Much love - Melissa

Emily 123 wrote:

Hi Melissa,

We do like Bickford--I think they're still understaffed, but usually responsive.  Very clean, residents look well cared for, staff are super-nice. They even have their own dog, and the SPCA does visits with dogs every week.  They have a married couple on staff now that started out volunteering but they told them they wanted to pay them!   If I have a complaint it would be that on the weekends (when I can visit more easily) there will be a few minutes wait to get in or out because the staff may be busy with residents.  More stressful bringing mom back, as she gets all impatient in the foyer. I bet they'd love to have you!