Questions for CCRCs

DearLiz2020

Looking for advice/tips to ask CCRCs as I begin my search in my area for giving options to my parents, one of which has advanced dementia.  My dear dad has serious medical conditions too which he ignores taking care of my mom, and, it's starting to affect him physically.   In-house caregivers aren't working out and there are no respite places/adult day cars for Dad in our area (still!) because of COVID.  What things should I be aware of when researching CCRCs, and, what questions can I ask.  Is there anywhere on this site that may help me with a prepared list of questions to ask?

CanyonGal

I have not looked into these types of communities for my mom except one community did have memory care, assisted living, and independent living.

I saw this article that had questions to ask: 

How to Evaluate a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) (seniorly.com)

JJAz

Beware of everything, especially if you are dealing with a 'for profit' company.  Things change so rapidly with elderly people that a CCRC is seldom a good solution unless there is no buy-in.

Lyn Bear

I just joined this message board and saw your post.  My DH who has had progressing Alzheimers for several years now, and I, living in a CCRC.  When we moved here 5 years ago we had no idea we'd have a need for Memory Care, and they do not have it.  MAKE SURE THEY DO AND OBSERVE THE PROGRAM.  We have not had a good experience with this CCRC.  I am living in their Assisted Living facility with my DH to help take care of him and keep him from going to their nursing home.  He gets little attention; they count on me for everything...sort of like when a loved one spends days tending to a patient in a hospital and the nurses know they can skimp a little on his care.  I am very depressed and so just want to tell you to be careful.  I am so glad to have somewhere to vent and share, so thanks for taking my reply wherever you are.

harshedbuzz

Dear Liz-

I dearly wanted my parents to move to a CCRC, but the opportunity closed on them when dad developed dementia. My top choice markets themselves as a kind of college campus for well-heeled, active retirees. They have an entrance exam that includes a cognitive assessment as part of their admissions process. While they will allow someone who develops dementia to stay in AL or a cottage with a partner, they did away with their MC unit, so PWD usually end up in their SNF at some point.

HB

MN Chickadee

This can really depend on the location and company. In my area there are two CCRCs that have a locked memory care unit as well as IL and AL and could accommodate a married couple with different needs. One is a non-profit, one is not. One of them also has a skilled nursing facility on site. The SNF takes people with more complex medical needs, and important to note, has the Medicaid beds. Meaning if the PWD runs out of funds they move from the MC to the SNF which accepts Medicaid. My mother's first facility was not a CCRC but had a AL and MC building. I would call the AL more acute, it wasn't just people who needed help with cleaning and a once a day wellness check like some ALs.  There was a married couple where one lived in the AL and one in the MC, and there was another who shared a room in the MC because one had dementia and the other had physical care needs. This allowed them to save some money and stay together. The spouse without dementia went over to the AL  building every day for more appropriate activities and interaction. It seemed to work reasonably well, though keep in mind the cognitively intact parent is living in a pretty bizarro world and there would be pros and cons. Through some research you might find something that fits your needs. 

With any facility you want to get beyond what the sales person parrots. Ask about end of life care, hospice, what could cause your loved one to have to move, what kind of care needs or behavior issues would cause them to be asked to leave, if they hold the room during a hospitalization, Medicaid (some require you to private pay for 2 years) and most importantly training by the staff in dementia techniques. Also what services are on site or able to come in (visiting doctor, podiatrist, psychiatrist, PT, OT etc.) Activities and enrichment activities. See if you can find other family members in the common rooms or parking lot, they are often a great source of honest assessment.