Choice Connections

Products And Services

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  Nursing Homes

  Nursing homes also known as Skilled Nursing Facilities are federally regulated. They provide nursing staff- RNs/LPNs around the clock. Today,there are many alternatives to a nursing home and the level of care found there. It is important to ask and understand what care is really needed. Many senior living options offer Independent, Assisted Living and Memory Care. And now some communities also offer what is called Enhanced Care or Care Suites. Generally the price for a Care Suite is comparable to a nursing home, but the setting is less institutional.

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  Assisted Living

  In Minnesota, assisted living varies from a three bedroom luxury apartment with full kitchen and multiple baths, to an efficiency apartment with a partial kitchen and half bath. To be considered “Assisted Living” in Minnesota the minimum requirements are: • 2 meals a day • Weekly housekeeping and laundry service • Assistance with 3 or more of the activities of daily living (dressing, grooming, bathing, eating, transferring, continence care and toileting) • Staff is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, to respond to resident requests for assistance with health and safety needs

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  Residential Care

  Minnesota has a growing number of residential care homes. In this setting, typically there are 4-7 residents in a home within a residential neighborhood. Each resident is in a private or shared room and may have a private or shared bathroom. Because of the smaller intimate setting, there is a higher level of attention given to each resident. Staffing levels are the highest in this setting with often a 1-3 ratio during the day and evening and 1 to 6 over night. Because of the smaller setting, it is important to understand the make up of the residents. Some homes focus primarily on memory care while others might specialize in a specific diagnosis like Parkinson’s.

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  Independent Living

  The term Independent Living is used generally to promote senior apartment style living. If you are independent, the two important questions to ask are: Do you want to own or rent? Do you want to change communities or move again if you need assistance? There are many choices for Independent Living options that provide a month to month lease as well as offer transportation and some basic services. Senior living options that offer services have a “Housing with Services” license from the State of MN. This typically means that some or all of the following services are available: dining, housekeeping, laundry and personal care. Staff may be available 24/7 but it is not required. An RN assessment is needed if you want care services. If you want to own, then cooperatives and condominiums as well as townhomes are an option to consider. They require less home maintenance. When considering these options, you should have a plan for down the road if you need services. You will need to either bring in services as you age or make another move.

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  Alzheimer's Care

  There are various settings for Memory care today. Many Assisted Living communities have a secure area for those that need a higher level of staff assistance and are at risk of wandering. There are also sites today that require a dementia diagnosis for their residents. Staff to resident ratios is higher in memory care settings and dementia training is required. For instance, it is important to understand the level of structure or programming provided in a memory care setting. For example, is there programming and structure 7 days a week? Pricing can be more inclusive in a memory care setting or it can change as the resident progresses with the disease.