Frequently Asked Questions

People searching for a community based residential facility (CBRF) or assisted living home for themselves or for their loved one often have many questions. We've listed some of those questions and our answers below.

• What is assisted living?
• How does an assisted living community differ from a nursing home?
• Does Libby's House have an area of specialization?
• What makes Libby's House different from other assisted living communities?
• How has Libby's House been designed to best care for residents with memory impairment?
• What are some of the services and amenities at Libby's House?
• How are my loved one's nutritional needs met?
• What would my loved one do all day?
• How are physical needs met?
• How do I know if my loved one should move to an assisted living community?
• When comparing other communities to Libby's House, what should I look for?
• What is the best way to proceed?

What is assisted living?

Assisted living communities are for people needing assistance with personal cares but wishing to live as independently as possible for as long as possible. Assisted living exists to bridge the gap between independent living and nursing homes. Residents in assisted living communities are not able to live without the support of others but do not require constant care either. Assisted living communities offer help with bathing, dressing, laundry, housekeeping and assistance with medications.

How does an assisted living community differ from a nursing home?

Nursing homes are facilities designed to care for those requiring 24 hour skilled or licensed nursing care for critical needs. Assisted living communities answer the needs of those who may require support in many areas, but can be achieved through a staff trained in senior care. Assisted living communities are often deemed necessary when the person in question needs help preparing meals, bathing, dressing, performing household chores, is sometimes confused or is experiencing memory problems.

Does Libby's House have an area of specialization?

Libby's House specializes in caring for residents with memory impairment, and its staff cares deeply for those with memory issues. Libby's House developed the Comprehensive Care Team (CCT), a person-centered approach, and uses extensive therapeutic programming to assure that the mind, body and spirit of each resident is considered in the course of their daily care.

What makes Libby's House different from other assisted living communities?

Libby's House is a Community-Based Residential Facility (CBRF) founded on a true understanding of the unique needs of seniors. Libby's House celebrates the whole person, respecting the mind, body and spirit. We explore who our residents were, are and can become. Our care concepts include adjusting care to meet the changing needs of our residents. Our dedication to dignified care, results in peace of mind for the residents and the families we serve. And our therapeutic programming includes one-on-one social opportunities, which are incredibly successful in engaging the mind, body and spirit of each of our residents. In addition, the staff-to-resident ratios at Libby's House are better than most other facilities, assuring your loved ones are provided ample personalized attention and care.

How has Libby's House been designed to best care for residents with memory impairment?

• Libby's House is a group of small communities, designed for increased one-on-one, personalized attention.
• To encourage and facilitate socializing between residents and guests, Libby's House has an abundance of places to socialize, including sunroom, living room with fireplace, family room, activity room, dining room, a private dining room and a gated courtyard.
• There are many large windows allowing for natural sunlight, which aid persons with vision impairment or time-of-day confusion.
• Libby's House has been designed with a soundless call system that activates staff pagers. By eliminating disruptive bells, buzzers and beeps, our residents and visitors are assured a calm and peaceful environment.
• Doors are secured by a keyless entry. As this is our residents' home, they are afforded the same privacy and security as if they were in a private residence. No one wanders about the community without staff awareness.
• Libby's House architecture is designed for easy navigation, especially for those with memory impairment. Handrails throughout the residences promote independence and safety.
• Residents are encouraged to bring their own belongings (furniture, beds, decorations) to ease the transition into assisted living and provide familiarity and comfort.

What are some of the services and amenities at Libby's House?

• The natural surroundings of Libby's House provides residents with a serene and beautiful environment. The abundance of windows, the sunrooms, the gated, secure courtyard, all help to bring the outside in.
• Our therapeutic programming engages the mind, body, and spirit of each resident.
• Libby's House offers both private rooms and suites and couples can be accommodated in large suites with a living room and a separate bedroom.
• Each room and suite has its own private bathroom and shower with pull down chair.
• Each resident room has basic cable service and phone jack (phone service not included).
• Private rooms and suites have individual climate controls.
• Each Libby's House residence has its own beauty shop and spa tub room for extra resident pampering.
• Abundance of places to visit with family and friends: sunroom, living room with fireplace, family room, activity room, dining room, private dining room and gated courtyard. To view photos of our homes, click here .
• 24/7 care and a Comprehensive Care Team provides personal attention for each resident.
• Residents enjoy home cooked meals three times a day and are offered nutritious snacks and beverages throughout the day. To view a sample menu, click here.
• Libby's House provides respite services, based on availability, for as little as a weekend or as much as 28 days.

How are my loved one's nutritional needs met?

• The Libby's House menu has been developed by our culinary expert, Jeremiah A. Reynolds.
• One aspect of the Comprehensive Care Team is to assure that the unique nutritional requirements of our residents are both considered and met. To view a sample menu, click here.
• Along with specially prepared meals and resident requests, the Libby's House kitchens also provide nutritionally sound snacks.
• Healthy snacks and beverages are offered throughout the day and available 24 hours.
• Therapeutic diets can be offered with a physician's order.
• Staff members help those residents needing additional assistance eating.

What would my loved one do all day?

Therapeutic programming, daily activities and socialization take part on many levels, in large and small groups, and in one-on-one interactions. In keeping with Libby's House philosophy, focus is placed on engaging the mind, body, and spirit of each of our residents. To view a sample schedule, click here.

Programming (planned activity) is designed so that each resident experiences success and finds the activities enjoyable rather than frustrating. We modify rules and practices to meet the cognitive ability or physical level of each of the participants and provide a variety of programming to engage each aspect of one's being.

Residents are encouraged to participate in daily exercises and other ongoing health-promoting adventures. A favorite of many residents is the daily walking club. Handrails throughout our community help keep those who are a little unsteady on their feet safe while walking. Often our more independent residents help push those in wheelchairs, making everyone feel involved and appreciated. The walking club is a social event for all and residents love to show off new items in their rooms when the walking club passes by their individual rooms.

Because Libby's House is founded on faith in God and the human spirit, and the belief that all life is sacred, nondenominational devotions are offered daily.

It is important for residents to feel that they are a part of society as a whole, so we schedule outings and guest performers from the community to provide this vital interaction. To further develop this connection, current events-including local, state and world news are reviewed daily.

How are physical needs met?

The Comprehensive Care Team is a person-centered approach which assures the mind, body and spirit of each resident is considered in the course of their daily care. This team is comprised of specially trained personnel who collaboratively structure a resident's personal care and psychosocial needs in a manner that provides consistency and structure.

Libby's House routinely conducts resident assessments in a variety of categories relating to physical ability. From those assessments, individualized care plans (ICPs) are developed in collaboration with the resident, the resident's family, doctor and Libby's House staff.

Libby's House resident assistants will help with bathing, grooming, dressing and other daily routines at the level needed by the resident. While always promoting independence and encouragement to continue these tasks with minimal help, we watch for that delicate time when one cannot complete these tasks without assistance, and we increase the level of help offered.

"My loved one cannot walk unaided. Does that mean they cannot come to Libby's House?" Be assured they are still quite eligible for admission. We offer stand by assistance, wheel chair escorts and other modes of mobility.

Resident medications are managed and monitored by trained staff and overseen by RNs.

How do I know if my loved one should move to an assisted living community?

Experts in senior care along with The Alzheimer's Association suggest that you investigate housing options BEFORE it becomes necessary. We suggest including your loved one in the decision making process if possible and appropriate.

While we all believe "home" is the best place to live, in reality it can be detrimental to the affected person's well-being. Please consider the following:

• Is your loved one in front of the TV, napping on and off at will and then up at night?
• Is your loved one interacting routinely with the community (out for lunch, visiting with peers as well as intergenerational activities, shopping, and hobbies)?
• Is your loved one demonstrating aggression, fear, suspicion or other unsettling behaviors?
• Has your loved one left the house without anyone's knowledge?
• Has your loved one sustained multiple falls and injuries?
• Does your loved one require assistance with bathing, dressing, meal preparation, toileting, and/or medication management?
• Do you feel your loved one is getting the stimulation appropriate for one with dementia?
• Do you believe your loved one would benefit from professional services and engaging interaction with peers?
• Are you, the caregiver, feeling overwhelmed, in poor health or simply exhausted?

If you have answered yes to some of the above questions, 24/7 care and security in an assisted living environment may be the best option for your loved one. If your loved one has symptoms of dementia, an assisted living home that specializes in memory impairment would be the most appropriate to handle the on-going needs of the individual and provide peace of mind to the family.

When comparing other communities to Libby's House, what should I look for?

• Cleanliness. Is there an unpleasant odor?
• Is the residence bright and cheerful?
• Are the residents happy and interactive?
• Are residents wearing clean clothing and groomed?
• What activities take place within the home?
• How is the interaction between residents and the staff?
• Am I greeted warmly?
• Are my questions answered directly?
• Will I have peace of mind if my loved one lives here?

What is the best way to proceed?

Contact homes and ask to speak with someone who would help with any questions you may have. Your questions are important and should be answered with completeness and patience. Next, set up an appointment to tour. If you find it to your liking, be sure to ask some of the above questions. We are so confident you will love Libby's House-the care concepts, the staff, building and everything associated with Libby's House, we encourage you to look at other facilities for comparison.

For more information on senior living options, contact Libby's House by calling Tracy Cinealis, CSA, senior living specialist, at 920.946.8730.