CARE HOME REFERRAL

How ApexCare Can Help

ApexCare provides a referral service for all types of assisted living care homes at NO COST TO YOU. In many cases, you may even receive a discount off of your first month's cost of stay by using our services. Having inspected most of the licensed elderly care homes in our service areas, we are intimately aware of the local resources. Our staff constantly updates information vital to evaluating each care home.

We share our knowledge and resources with you and will work with you until your needs are met. ApexCare is committed to finding the best care available, within your budget, in the fastest time. Again, this service is FREE TO YOU!

Assisted living is a generic term used to describe non-medical, long term care. Facilities that provide this service can be called Assisted Living Facilities, Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly, Board and care homes, Alzheimer's Care Centers or Senior Group Homes. They range in size from five or six residents to hundred of residents. Assisted living can be a very good alternative to nursing homes for elders who do not need constant medical care. Typical services may include:

24-hour supervision
Personal care, bathing, dressing and grooming
Toileting and incontinence management
Meal preparation and nutrition monitoring
Transportation to medical appointments
Organized social activities
Housekeeping and personal laundry

Residents live in a social, non-institutional, home-like setting. Costs of stay are much lower than nursing homes.

Many things should be considered when choosing a care home - Finding a place where your loved one will be content and well cared for, while staying within your budget is no easy task. There may be hundreds homes to choose from.

Here Are Some Helpful Tips:

1. Look at care homes from the point of view of the resident – Know what is the most important in the resident's life and try to maintain it if possible. Sometimes the ability to bring a pet or continue with an activity may out weigh all other considerations. Here are some things to consider:

Would the residents prefer a smaller home-like residence or a larger hotel-like facility?
Are there dietary preferences or requirements?
What types of activities does the resident like?
Are there special personal care needs or physical limitations?
Are there cultural considerations?
Would the resident like to be near any friends or relatives?

2. Obtain Information On Care Homes – In addition to the phone book, the Internet and friends, here are some places with information on care homes:

State Licensing has lists of all licensed care homes and files on them. This is public information. However, the State will not tell you much over the phone and won't give opinions on any care home. You must drive to their district offices to view licensing files.
Health Care Professionals, such as social workers, discharge planners and nurses of hospitals, nursing home or home health agencies, often refer patients to care homes, and may have lists of care homes that they like.
Community Organizations such as Count Social Service Agencies, Area Agencies on Aging, Alzheimer's Support Groups, Senior Centers and the Seniors Ombudsman may also know about care homes.
Referral Services match clients to various care homes in the community. Some services are free of charge to clients and may save many frustrating hours of calling and running around. A good agency will have assessed each care home thoroughly and know their capabilities. Make sure the agency you are using has actually done the proper research and has the necessary expertise in the field. Ask to see their records on care homes that they are referring to you. Check references from past clients and other health care professionals.