FAQ

We are an assisted living community that differs greatly from the large communities. Our homes provide private rooms, a shared common area and large backyards. We may not have the large bus or onsite hair salon, but we have something that the large communities cannot offer: a one staff to three residents’ ratio during waking hours. Some of our communities also offer awake night staff. What this means is we often admit a resident who might otherwise not thrive at a large community. Resident’s with memory impairment thrive in smaller settings. Residents who do not sleep through the night and need supervision are not always appropriate for a larger community.

Not all seniors are able to age in place in the home they have lived in for 50 years or longer. When living at home is no longer safe, moving to an assisted living community provides the safety and assistance a family wants for their loved one. We have many care partners to help with this transition.

Home health agencies provide nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and social workers in our communities. They are an integral part of the adjustment phase every resident has.

As care needs increase and a resident’s health declines, we lean on our other care partner, hospice, to provide supportive care at the end of life. This supportive care team includes nursing, bereavement specialist, clergy, recreational therapists, social workers and durable medical equipment needed to provide a resident with comfort at this stage of life. This care often prevents a resident from needless transfers to the hospital and allows a family to visit without the time restraints often imposed by hospitals and skilled nursing facilities.

Our Board and Care communities, also known as Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE), are home-like facilities with an almost one-on-one care and supervision, thanks to a high staff-to-resident ratio of 1 to 3. There is trained staff present in the communities 24 hours per day. Licensed for six residents, our Board and Care communities offer care for residents that are either ambulatory or non- ambulatory, and who may require assistance with bathing, dressing, medication supervision, incontinence care, ambulation, dining and grooming. Many of our homes specialize in Alzheimer’s Disease and dementia care. All of our homes also have hospice waivers.

We offer:

• Three meals and snacks daily
• Housekeeping and laundry
• Transportation services
• Social activities
• 24-hour staffing
• Assistance with medical and dental services
• Home Health and Hospice

Living at The Colony creates the feeling of being at home versus living in a hotel like environment. It’s the experience of being at home, only better! Living at The Colony ensures the safety of our senior residents coupled with comfort, companionship, and care, in our cozy atmosphere. Seniors need more than mere treatment. Living in a bog box will never adequately compare to occupying a smaller space with friends that feels more like home.

Here are 3 advantages of living at The Colony over a larger care facility:

1. The Feeling of Being at Home:

• Custom designed to offer seniors the warm feeling of being at home;
• Encourages residents to fill their rooms with personal belongings;
• Strongly encourage the concept of “a home away from home”;
• Our décor is warm and inviting with personal touches of home;
• Offers intimate settings that prevent seniors from succumbing to loneliness;
• Elements of a home environment such as plants, pianos and formal dining areas;
• Focuses on the comfort and consideration of residents more than amenities;
• Recognizes and accommodates the fact that older people miss their homes;
• Infused with warm colors as opposed to a monochromic setting; and
• Paintings, photo albums, and personal pictures stir fond memories.

2. Staff-to-Resident Ratios:

• Staff to resident ratio determines the quality of care;
• Large communities have a staff to resident ratio as high as 1 staff to 18 residents;
• The Colony homes benefit from an average of about 1 staff to 3 residents;
• Large communities staff-to-resident ratio affects relationships with time constraints, limits personal touch and hinders companionship;
• A limited number of staff increases fall risks and restricts the amount of time available for personal care; and
• The Colony communities’ interactive settings improve psychological and physical health.

3. Cost:

• A private room in some larger facilities can cost more than $15,000 a month, just for the base rate. Additional fees are added for care and supplies.
• The Colony communities are all-inclusive. Food, care, medication management, laundry and housekeeping etc. are not additional costs.
• All concepts of assisted living are costly, but The Colony homes are more cost-effective.

These communities have been in existence for decades. Many of our administrators and caretakers have been providing care to our senior residents in these homes for 25 years. These properties were previously owned, operated, and managed under different licensee names and were recently merged and rebranded under The Colony ownership to provide the benefit of scale and new resources to our residents.

Our team members receive more than the basic training requirements mandated by the California Department of Social Services. By providing our staff with more training, we are setting them up for success in handling resident care needs. Every member of The Colony Residential Care team receives training on specific topics such as Alzheimer’s Disease and dementias, postural supports, elder abuse, theft and loss prevention, and medications as well as hands-on shadowing, and continuing education throughout their employment. We have an in-house DSS approved vendor as part of our team to help keep us up to date with best practices.

Yes, our team is trained to care for older adults living with memory loss. Our communities have design features that incorporates industry best practices to care for those living with Alzheimer’s Disease and other types of memory loss.

The Colony is proud to offer a wide variety of activities to promote health and well-being. We offer multi-sensory programs in each of our communities and we aim to stimulate both body and brain through these interactive activities. Offering a daily structured programming schedule not only boosts resident engagement, it helps everyone stay active and maintain a level of independence for as long as possible. Here are some examples of our most popular multi-sensory programs: Art Therapy, Music Therapy, Memories in the Making, Pet Therapy, Gardening Club, Cooking Class. Additionally, we do daily walks, monthly outings, live entertainment, and so much more! To see all our events & programs, check out the calendar and connect with us on social media.

Yes! The Colony has a medication management program in each of our communities. Medication training is part of our continuing education program. A trained caregiver will dispense all medications (over-the-counter and prescription) from our locked and controlled Medication Delivery System. All residents have the option to use our Preferred Pharmacy, which will deliver all medications in a bubble packed and coded system at no additional cost. Otherwise, if a resident would like to continue to use an outside pharmacy, there is a small monthly fee for our Preferred Pharmacy to convert medications from the bubble packs and/or vials into the OPUS system. Our Preferred Pharmacy is willing to match most of the outside pharmacy prices, but if you want to double check, or if you have questions about specific medications, feel free to reach out.

All meals are included in your stay. The Colony offers 3 nutritious, home-style meals served to residents in the dining room. Our residents have many options of chef-prepared meals to choose from each day. Our dining team will gladly accommodate special diets.

Yes! The Colony provides scheduled transportation for our residents to and from local medical and dental appointments in our comfortable caravan.

Of course! We want The Colony to feel like home, so whether that means bringing your own furniture, hanging pictures on the walls, or packing up your favorite plants, you always have the option to personalize your space. Alternatively, if the idea of moving seems overwhelming, rest assured, because our accommodations come furnished at no additional charge.

Yes. We listen to our residents and will go out of our way to make our community feel like home. We also encourage residents’ friends and family to provide feedback because we believe that open communication allows us to continually improve our organization and the lives of those we serve.

Prior to move-in, one of our team members will complete an in-person assessment. You will provide us with a recent physician’s report outlining your current health and we will review your recent medical history to see how we can best meet your needs. Together, we will discuss your preferences as well as your normal routines to develop a care plan that works best for you and your needs. Additionally, the Individualized Care Plan is regularly updated to meet your evolving needs.

When it’s time to start thinking about a senior living community for an aging parent or senior loved one, an early concern for most people is money. Families often wonder how they will help a senior loved one finance this move.

An assisted living community is a financially feasible option for many older adults. These communities offer the senior personalized, 24-hour care with the freedom to choose their own activities and to remain independent.

Personal funds are the most common method of payment for the cost of senior living. Many families rely on liquidating investments or the proceeds from the sale of their elder family member’s home.

Many state and federal programs offer financial assistance for certain senior living expenses. For instance, in the U.S. there is a Federal benefit, called “Aid and Attendance,” which both veterans and their spouses may be eligible to receive to assist with assisted living fees.

Some Long-Term Insurance Policies may also cover part or all of the costs for assisted living care. These policies vary but many long-term care insurance policies do help finance assisted living. Check your aging loved one’s policy to see if it covers the costs of “custodial care,” which includes assisted living communities.

Other options to investigate might include a life insurance settlement or moving in to a semi-private room to cut down on monthly rent costs.

Unfortunately, Medicare and Medi-Cal programs do not support assisted living services at The Colony.