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NaCCRA Forum: Resident Life

Health Care Services for Independent Living
Betty Noyes
I am interested in learning how others CCRC organizations provide health care services for those in Independent Living.
Heatlh care services in Skilled, Assisted and Memory are all highly regulated but there appears to be variability from "none to some" provided by owners in Independent Living and then I wonder are there some volunteer programs supported by residents? 
Carol B. Isaacs
we have a "Wellness Department" which consists of an RN and an assistant--this is open from 7:30 AM to 4 PM, after which a CNA comes in until 7 PM--this service is available 7 days a week.  If we have an emergency and pull the cord, someone from the Wellness Department comes to assess the situation and will recommend getting an ambulance if necessary, calling our physician, or just advise hydration, bed rest, etc.  We can visit the Wellness Center during their hours for a non-emergent problem.  They have a Blood Pressure Clinic a couple of times a week.

In addition to the above, we have an outside medical practice which is open M-F, if we choose to use those physicians.  Their office is in our main building and they are staffed by a part time MD and an APRN full time.  There is a phlebotomist in that office M-F until noon.
Jennifer J. Young
Very interesting information.  Thanks for sharing.  Can you provide the name and location of your CCRC?  
Ann MacKay
I live at Charlestown, a large CCRC (2050 residents) in Catonsville, MD. We have a medical center with 4 physicians, 2 nurse practitioners, a mental health NP, a social worker, and podiatrist. Lab services are available 5 days a week. There is an on-call physician available for evenings and weekends.

We also have a certified home health agency for Medicare home health and we have home support program with private duty program of licensed Certified Nursing Assistants (Home Support Aides) who provide a broad range of personal care.

The Home support team offers blood pressure clinics. The Medical Center offers a Care Path program for residents who continue with their own physician off campus. We are also very fortunate to have a CVS pharmacy in the same building as the medical center.

We also have Emergency medical responders (less training than paramedics) on campus 24/7 who will call 911 to have EMT arrive for transport to the local hospital. We also have pendants services. We also have assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care.
R. Gerard Hyland
Ann,

Your description of health care services for independent living is very enviable.  I have previously heard residents speak well of Erickson Living-operated CCRCs.  

What services are available in skilled nursing?  The reason I ask is many CCRCs in Oregon  have eliminated onsite skilled nursing facilities because of the cost. 

Gerard
Ann MacKay
We have a SNF certified for Medicare and Medicaid. The new Care center which opens in June will have less skilled beds and more memory care. The older building will be torn down.

Check out this article I read today.
https://seniorhousingnews.com/2019/04/09/avamere-pushes-ahead-with-ovation-micro-ccrc-projects/
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