What about the meals?

In a small board and care home, the meal routine becomes central in the day-to-day routine. We encourage residents to eat together and meals also turn into a social activity. Meals can be altered according to our residents' preferences and dietary restrictions. Our meals limit processed food and start with fresh ingredients. We believe this is important as nutrition is the baseline for healing injuries or general health. eating meals together becomes a large part of the social routine for residents. 

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What do you mean "24-hour awake staff?"

We have staff that are paid to stay awake at night and provide care. At Regal Care, we believe our primary goal is to keep your loved one's safe. Many small facilities will have the daytime staff sleep on the couch and expect them to wake up if they hear a loud noise. In order to accomplish this, they may double up on incontinence products for anyone who requires them and leave the resident until the morning. Meanwhile, the staff member isn't true resting and ready to bring their best the next day. We believe it is crucial to have separate staff on duty at night. This allows residents to receive care at night, whether they are simply restless, confused, or may need incontinence care. 

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What should I look for in senior care?

We believe care is the most important aspect of senior care. Ten years from now, you won't look back with fond memories of the gold accent furniture in the care home where your mother passed, you will remember the tender care she received. So, what does that mean? When you tour a facility, ask questions about the care. What is the staff-to-resident ratio? Is there a dedicated night staff or the day staff are on duty? Do you cook fresh food? How often do you serve frozen meals? How long have your staff been with you? These sorts of questions will guide you in the right direction as you look for care?

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When should I look for senior care?

WHEN is always a tough question. It is not urgent until it is too late. Often a senior may have a trip to the hospital where a case manager suggests they are ready for full-time care. Or a senior may lose a spouse who was serving as a caregiver. This can be stressful as it results in a rushed decision. Chances are, if you are reading this, then you are already considering the need for senior care. We suggest doing your research early and finding a licensed facility that meets the needs and budget of your family. You may find a great place with no vacancies and be placed on a waiting list. Or a few places you like. In any case, we suggest choosing a time to move rather than wait for a crisis. 

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Suggestions on a move-in transition period?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Many facilities strongly recommend a two-week period where the family has no contact with the loved one. We don't believe this is a good rule for everyone. At Regal Care, we encourage you to pay attention to your loved one and see how your visits or calls affect them. If a visit cheers them up, wonderful. If a visit leaves them confused for hours, insisting to leave and go home, it may be best to limit visits for a time. The key is to focus on what is most helpful to your loved one.

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How do I find licensed care homes? 

Large or small, senior care homes are licensed by the Department of Social Services (DSS). They may be called Assisted Living, Memory Care, Senior Homes, Board and Care Homes, or 6 Beds. In any case, we are all licensed as a Residential Care Facility for the Elderly or RCFE. The DSS maintains a registry of licensed RCFEs that is available to the public. You can find it here: Social Services - Community Care Facility search. Click on "Elderly Assisted Living." On the next page type in your city and click search. You will find a list of all licensed care homes in your area. This empowers you as a consumer and allows you to do your own research. Many facilities appreciate being directly contacted by families rather than through a referral agent. If you prefer to work with a referral agent, we can recommend a local agent rather than a nationwide service. 

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What are your costs?

So much goes into a decision about senior care, we believe it is difficult to make a judgement solely off the price. We encourage families to tour facilities at all ranges so they can get a better idea of what they like. That being said, our monthly fees start at $6000 month. This includes all day to day care, housing, meals, and utilities. One time move in fees or community fees help cover the initial work of learning your expectations, your doctor's requirements, the adjustment period and any referral fees. 

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