In the know: understanding care options for older adults

From maintenance free living, to social opportunities, engaging programming, dining, peace of mind, and amenities right outside your front door, there are plenty of reasons you might be considering making the move to an older adult community for yourself or a loved one.

Near the top of the list of considerations may be access to wellness and care services.

When it comes to care for your loved one, you’ll have questions

Even when the decision is made to make the move, questions surrounding care for you or your loved one are plentiful: What is the right care option? How is care accessed, and what are the costs associated with care? Will care remain flexible as needs change?

In modern older adult communities like United, community life is designed to help you build relationships with fellow residents, supported by a team of dedicated professionals who are there to provide opportunities for you to make the most of your time, while ensuring you have access to the care you need, when you need it.

As you make your decision about which community is right for you, understanding what types of care are available, and how they are accessed can help you narrow down your search. At United Active Living communities, there are a variety of ways to access care.

Kera Redlack, VP Wellness & Experience, explains the types of care available and how to access care at United communities. “Wellness and care are deeply personal: there are a lot of ways for you to access both private and AHS Home Care, and even blend them together to create a wellness plan that works for you.” Kera continues, “At United, you can work with the wellness team and other providers to achieve your wellness goals, and reassess if your needs change.”

Felica Ford, Director, Sales, shares how residents thrive when they feel supported. "When residents know their wellness and care needs are being met, it gives them the freedom to focus on the things that bring meaning and joy to their lives.” Felicia continues, “Instead of worrying about daily tasks or future health concerns, they can spend their time building friendships, pursuing hobbies and passions, staying active, and reconnecting with loved ones. That peace of mind creates the foundation for people to truly thrive."

Based on the many conversations we have with residents as they join our communities, we’ve put together a list of common questions you can ask to help guide you on your search.

What should I consider when deciding between independent living, supportive or assisted living, and enhanced care options?

To begin, ask questions about your current and desired lifestyle:

·         Am I able to cook and maintain my space?

·         Am I looking to spend less time on housework or home maintenance?

·         Am I living independently but feeling isolated?

·         Would I enjoy or benefit from opportunities to connect socially or have easy access to amenities such as fitness classes, bus outings, and engaging programming?

·         Am I generally healthy and independent? Have I experience a change in my health recently or over the past few years?

·         Am I looking for some additional peace-of-mind? For example, by knowing someone is available 24/7 just in case?

For an individual or couple looking to downsize or have more opportunities to connect socially, independent living comes with all freedom and flexibility, with the added reassurance of having a support team on hand in case of emergencies.

Choosing to live in a community can mean access to a sought-after lifestyle for many people – meet and socialize with new people, reduce time spent on house maintenance, free up time to connect with family and friends, and pursue hobbies, knowing support and care can be accessed as needed.

What questions should I ask when it comes to care and support services?

·         Am I currently receiving support from AHS Home Care or a private caregiving company?

·         Will I possibly need access to unscheduled or emergency support from a nurse?

·         Am I having any challenges maintaining my space, shopping, or preparing meals?

·         Are there potential risks in my living spaces? (e.g., unable to use the appliances, tripping hazards, stairs, inaccessible bathrooms?)

·         Do I feel isolated or lonely for extended periods of time?

For someone who is generally independent and social, but may need support with home maintenance or meal preparations, or has additional care needs such as medication management, supportive or assisted living offers a lifestyle that offers access to connection, programming, and meals, along with daily care support to align with an individual’s wellness needs.

What should I look for if I have a loved one experiencing memory loss or cognitive decline?

For individuals experiencing cognitive decline or memory loss, assisted living with integrated memory care can support those who are in the early stages of dementia. For additional support, United’s Fish Creek North and Garrison Green communities offer social, emotional, and cognitive support through a leading approach to integrated memory care called United Minds.

United Minds provides dedicated support and services for individuals experiencing cognitive decline so they can remain active and engaged in the greater community, taking part in the same programming, dining experiences, and other aspects of community life, without the need to be separated from loved ones, or move to a secure unit.

What is the difference between Alberta Health Services (AHS) Home Care, and private-pay services?

AHS Home Care is publicly funded and available to all Albertans, and is determined by assessment through the AHS website. AHS Home Care is delivered by the United LPN team, and can be delivered in the individual’s place of residence, including older adult communities, lodges, or individual dwellings. Anyone is entitled to receive care from AHS services, regardless of whether they are in a funded or private retirement community.

Private care is not funded by AHS, is available through a variety of operators, and is paid for by an individual on a per-use basis.

There may be limitations to the amount and type of care both AHS Home Care and private pay services can offer. Wellness interviews and similar assessments will help inform the type of care and services needed in the home or community.

Can residents receive AHS Home Care while living at United?

Yes, residents can access AHS home care services while living in a United Active Living community.

All residents at United Active Living communities have access to publicly funded Home Care services through AHS. Home Care services are initiated through an AHS Case Manager, who assesses each resident's needs and determines eligibility for services. Once services are approved, a care team is assigned to provide the authorized supports.

At Lake Bonavista Village, The Lodge at Valley Ridge, and Trinity Lodge, approved Home Care services are delivered by United's in-house care team in partnership with AHS, providing residents with a consistent team, integrated within the community, and available 24/7.

At Fish Creek and Garrison Green communities, approved Home Care services are delivered by an external AHS-contracted provider. Residents work with their AHS Case Manager to arrange and coordinate these services. Both communities also offer private care services that can be offered as scheduled or unscheduled and can be blended with AHS home care or accessed as standalone services.

What kinds of services are typically covered through AHS Home Care?

Home Care services are scheduled, and typically include support with personal care and health care services as determined by an assessment with an AHS Case Manager.

These services may include assistance with medication administration, bathing, dressing, compression stockings, escorts to meals, and getting ready for the day, or for the evening.  (AM/PM care).

Examples of services not offered through AHS Home Care included unscheduled care (emergency care) and overnight support.

How does AHS Home Care work at Lake Bonavista Village, The Lodge at Valley Ridge and Trinity Lodge?  Is there a maximum number of hours that a resident can receive?

Home Care in these communities is funded by AHS and functions much the same way as Home Care provided in a private residence. Services are assessed, approved, and scheduled through an AHS Case Manager and are delivered according to an established care plan. The key difference is that, at these United communities, approved Home Care services are delivered by United team members who are on-site 24/7. This provides greater continuity of care, stronger relationships with residents, and enhanced coordination and service delivery within the community.

While Home Care visits remain scheduled and residents are expected to be available at their designated service times, the presence of an on-site team offers additional flexibility. If a resident is temporarily unavailable when a caregiver arrives, the team may be able to return later, unlike in a private home where a missed visit may require rescheduling. Limited unscheduled support may be available through AHS, and emergency assistance remains available 24/7.

What types of care are offered through United Cares services at Fish Creek and Garrison Green?

United Cares services are similar to traditional AHS Home Care in that they can be scheduled in advance through a care plan. In addition, United Cares offers enhanced flexibility by providing additional scheduled services beyond the scope of traditional home care access, including overnight support.

The United Cares team is also able to respond to unscheduled care needs that Home Care is typically unable to accommodate. This includes support such as night checks, assistance with toileting, medication administration, and 24/7 emergency response.

Can families combine private-pay services with AHS care to create a more personalized support plan?

Yes, particularly at Fish Creek and Garrison Green, combining AHS Home Care with United Cares services can maximize care options and access while keeping costs manageable, and in many cases, allow the resident to stay in their chosen community longer.

Who coordinates care between the resident, family, AHS, and the retirement community team?

To access AHS Home Care services, an individual or family member must contact the AHS Community Care intake line (403-943-1920) to initiate an assessment with an AHS Case Manager. An AHS Case Manager is assigned to each United Active Living community and is responsible for determining eligibility and working with the resident to develop a care plan outlining the type and amount of services required.

While the AHS Case Manager and the resident are ultimately responsible for the authorization and coordination of these services, United team members have built strong, collaborative relationships with their AHS colleagues. As a result, the United team is often involved in supporting resident needs where it is appropriate and beneficial to do so, helping to ensure coordinated, person-centered care within the community

How do care needs change over time, and can support be adjusted as needs evolve?

As an individual’s needs change over time, the type and level of support they receive will also be adjusted accordingly. AHS Home Care provides assessed and approved services based on eligibility and care needs. In addition, where available, United Cares can be used to supplement Home Care by providing enhanced support options, including both scheduled and unscheduled care. This combination allows for a more flexible and responsive approach to meeting evolving care needs within the community.

Residents are typically supported to remain in the community they call home for as long as it is safe and appropriate to do so. However, there may come a point where a resident’s care needs exceed what the community can safely and effectively provide, or where the cost of privately accessed services becomes no longer sustainable for the individual, and a funded care option may become an important consideration.

In these circumstances, consideration may be given to publicly funded care settings through AHS, including Type A (long-term care) or Type B (assisted living and secure memory care), depending on the individual’s assessed needs.

For more information, check out the AHS website.

No matter the type of care you or your loved one may need, joining a United Active Living community offers flexibility and choice, so even those who need assistance can remain independent longer, and spend more time pursuing interests, engaging with peers, and connecting with friends and family.

To have a closer look at life in a United community and learn how our Wellness Teams can support you in your journey, book a tour today.