Selecting a senior living residence for you or a loved is one of the most important decisions you will make. Watercrest Senior Living wants to join you on the journey of selecting the most desirable residence. We understand that many seniors and their families have questions regarding assisted living. The following are some of our most frequently asked questions. If you have additional questions please contact us directly: info@watercrestslg.com
Watercrest Senior Living associates share a purpose and passion for serving others. As neighbors, family members and friends, we share an emotional connection that inspires a sense of community at each of our locations. Our team fondly calls this company wide effort our “Common Unity” Program. Our mission, to Welcome, to Care, to Serve settles in the hearts of all associates to create the best possible residence for our seniors.
Q: What care options are available at a Watercrest community?
Watercrest offers assisted living, memory care neighborhoods, short term stay as well as hospice and other care services. Each resident will have an interdisciplinary team which assist in providing and developing the care the resident needs. This may include physicians, specialists, nurses, home health services-physical, speech and occupational therapies, dermatology, podiatry, audiology, optometry and in house laboratory and x-ray provider.
Assisted Living provides resident assistance with activities of daily living including getting dressed, medication assistance, bathing, housekeeping chores, laundry and other individualized services. Assisted Living residents have a service plan tailored to meet their specific care needs.
Memory Care Neighborhoods provide a safe and specialized environment for seniors with cognitive needs. These neighborhoods are designed to provide the best layout and engagements for our residents.
Short Term Stays, are often called respite stays. These stays are typically arranged so individualized service plans can be created. Respite programs provide planned short-term and time-limited breaks for families and their caregivers.
Hospice Care is a model for quality and compassionate care for people facings life-limiting illness or injury. Hospice care involves a team-oriented approach to expert medical care, pain management, and emotional and spiritual support tailored to the resident’s needs and wishes.
Q: How is my level of care determined?
A: One of our Resident Wellness Director’s will meet with you and your love done prior to move in. The nurse will engage in a relaxed conversation, tailored to your loved one, in order to collect information regarding current health needs, past medical history, daily routines, enjoyed activities, and personal care requiring assistance in order to determine the correct service plan. A state required assisted living assessment form will also be sent to the primary care physician to ensure continuity of care.
Q: How is my service plan coordinated?
A: Once the level of care evaluation is complete, our Resident Wellness Director will create the service plan. This service plan includes: Personal care needs and schedules, medication management service, interests and programming, beauty and barber schedules, and much more.
Q: Do you offer a medication program?
A: Yes, our medication program ensures your loved one receives the professional assistance needed to receive their medication as prescribed by their health care professional. This service includes ordering the prescription(s) from the pharmacy (you may choose to use our preferred assisted living specific pharmacy or your own).
Q: How long can my loved one reside in your community?
A: We utilize the extended congregate care licensure which allows our residents to receive nursing services above and beyond what is offered in a standard license assisted living community. This allows our residents to remain in our community for an extended period of time. Additionally, we partner with home health care agencies to provide physical, occupational, and speech therapies as well as specialized nursing services. Hospice services offer additional partnerships to meet the individualized needs of our residents.
Q: My loved one is relocating, do you offer assistance with finding a new physician?
A: We provide the option of choosing our medical director, additionally, a list of primary care physicians will be provided. Some doctors make regular visits to our communities, but there is no obligation to use their services. We provide scheduled transportation services to and from medical appointments for residents choosing an outside physician’s group.
Q: Do you offer 24 hour nursing?
A: Yes, we have an associate nurse on staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year to meet all of your loved one’s needs.
Q: What activities do you offer for assisted living?
A: At Watercrest we believe that every resident has a purpose to fulfill and a passion to explore. Our programming provides our residents the platform to reach their full potential. All of our programming make use of the latest technologies and includes trivia, word games, lectures, outings, intergenerational programming, music, and more. Watercrest activities and programming are designed to stimulate the mind while promoting laughter and creating community.
Q: What specialized programming do you offer memory care residents?
A: Connecting hearts and minds is our passion. All Watercrest Memory Care programming seeks to answer three questions. If we can answer these three questions, then we know we have created successful Memory Care programming.
Our Memory Care programming is designed to access each resident’s strength in these areas and deepen their connections.
View a sample memory care calendar
Q: How does Watercrest Senior Living encourage resident involvement?
A: All of our programming is based on relationship. We believe everyone shares a common unity that can lead to great experiences. Through building relationships with our residents, our Community Program Directors and Programming Specialists discover the passion of our residents. We work hard to convince every resident that we can be trusted and that we always have their interests at heart. This trust opens incredible doors for resident involvement.
Q: Can you please describe your dining program? Are there designated dining hours?
A: Watercrest creates a resort style experience for our residents and guests in our main dining room, alfresco dining by the pool, and in our brick oven bistro. We offer chef demonstrations which allow residents to experience cultural cuisines, decadent desserts and unique family recipes furnished by our residents. Residents are invited to attend our Chef Chat forums where residents provide feedback on menu selections and menu incorporations. We furnish an “always available” menu providing more options and preferences for our residents. Our Dining room offers service throughout the day.
Q: Do you allow pets?
A: Yes, Watercrest welcomes you to bring your pet. If you are comfortable taking care of your pet and they are suitable to bring into the community, we invite them to join the Watercrest family. Please communicate directly with the community to obtain more information.
Q: Do you offer transportation services?
A: Yes, Watercrest offers transportation services to and from programming events, physician appointments, church and other scheduled community outings. Our communities schedule routine trips to local markets, grocery stores, fine arts and culture centers and dining out on the town.
Q: What type of individual wellness services do you provide?
A: Watercrest Senior Living residents benefit from the perks of our wellness programs. This includes an active health and fitness calendar, aquatic therapy program, full-service spa and massage services, educational health lectures with partnering physician and colleges and licensed nurses on site 24 hours daily to answer any questions that may arise.
Q: Do you have a pool?
A: Watercrest does have a community pool that can be utilized for a leisurely swim or residents can benefit for our aquatic therapy program.
Q: What are the designated hours for guests?
A: Watercrest Senior Living welcomes friends and families to visit at the times that work best for the resident.
Q: What is the staff to resident ratio in your community?
A: The Watercrest staffing pattern exceeds state requirements. The ratio is variable and continually adjusts based on the needs of our residents in each community.
Q: What training do Watercrest associates receive?
A: Watercrest prides itself on providing an in-depth on-boarding program for all associates that exceed industry standards. Each new hire completes state required courses through our online education learning system, they spend time on the floor shadowing co-workers, and they attend a full day of new re orientation that is hosted by the Leadership Team. In addition, all new hire associates participate in our well-defined 30 day on boarding program that focuses on all aspects of caring for our seniors. Continuing education and training is important to the success of our associates, and we require them to complete monthly courses (both online and live) that enable us to ensure they receive the tools and information necessary to serve our seniors.
Q: Are there associates that are devoted to our memory care neighborhoods?
A: Yes, our Memory Care Neighborhoods have devoted staff members including our Resident Care Specialists, Nurses, Housekeepers, Wait Staff and all community directors. In addition to completing state required training, each staff member is a Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP). This certification is a compliment to the comprehensive training our Memory Care staff receives in the area of Alzheimer Dementia Care.
Q: How quickly can I move in?
A: Prior to move-in, Watercrest will ensure that all resident needs are personalized which will be created through our resident service plan. All accommodations are made to ensure a smooth transition for the residents and families we serve. Move-ins are scheduled according to the flexibility of the resident.
Q: What type of furnishings can I bring?
A: Residents are encouraged to bring their own furniture and decor making the apartment more personalized to their design style. Floor plans are available so you can decide how furnishings will be laid out in your apartment.
Q: My parents are married, can they reside in the same apartment?
A: Yes, couples may reside in the same apartment.
Q: Is the lease agreement long-term?
A: No, Watercrest communities do not have long term lease requirements. Our lease agreement does request a 30 day notice prior to moving out of the community. The lease will be reviewed with you prior to move in and you will also receive a copy for future reference. Lease information will also be outlined in our resident handbook.
Please review our tips to ensure a successful move.
Q: How much does Assisted Living cost?
A: Watercrest Senior Living understands that each resident’s individualized needs vary. With that being said, you can expect a monthly fee for your apartment and care needs identified on a resident service plan that is specifically designed for you.
Q: What is included in my monthly fee?
A: Base monthly rental fees include apartment accommodations with safety features based on your selection of floor plan, all utilities (except telephone), scheduled housekeeping and laundry services, maintenance, three nutritious meals served daily in our dining room, an active social, recreational and educational calendar, scheduled transportation to medical appointments, shopping and planned outings, and peace of mind knowing you are not alone and have staff available for assistance at any time.
Q: When are fees due?
A: Fees are billed and due according to your community’s billing cycles we will review this with you at Residency Agreement signing.
Q: Do Medicare or other government agencies help to pay for fees?
A: No. Medicare will only pay for care in Medicare-certified skilled nursing facilities or through Medicare-certified home health or hospice agencies.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides long-term care services to some eligible veterans; please contact your local office for your individual situation.
Medicaid may help pay for home health care, nursing home and other long-term care services if you have low income and meet other eligibility requirements. States usually will assess your need for help with activities of daily living (for example, toileting, bathing, and dressing) and your need for nursing care. Check with your local office to determine your eligibility and with the assisted living community to see whether it is an option at their location.
Q: What other options are available to assist with costs?
A: We recommend you always check with your attorney or financial advisor for guidance in payment options, as each individual’s situation is unique.You can also ask them for advice on tax benefits or deductions that you may qualify for.
In addition to private payment sources, you can also discuss with your financial advisor or insurance agent to determine if you have benefits available through existing policies. Always consult your own professional advisors whenever discussing matters of financial importance.
Your local Area Agency on Aging can also offer valuable resources. You can locate your local office at the Administration on Aging website
