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2106 N.W. 97th St. Seattle, WA 98117 (206) 755-0861

Questions & Answers

FAQ and Policies / Procedures

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This page should answer some questions regarding Blue Ridge Adult Family Home, and Adult Family Homes in general.

General Q & A Blue Ridge Policies

Adult Family Homes - General Questions and Answers

Q: What is an Adult Family Home?

A: An Adult Family Home, is one of the living arrangements available to senior citizens who cannot comfortably or safely live alone.

Q: We are concerned about placing our family member in a care facility as their independence has been important to them. We are feeling confused and guilty about doing so. They don't want to move from their home, and we feel that we should be taking care of them at our home instead of placement. Is it common to feel this way?

A: It is very common and is expressed by many to us when faced with this very difficult decision. Rest assured, caring for the safety of your loved one is a loving gesture. Eventually, dangerous falls and other issues have to finally be acknowledged and addressed by the family or guardian. It can be a daunting task for families to care for an elderly person, and can be distracting from jobs, family, activities, children, and careers, especially if their loved one also has special needs and services required. Many times the responsibility is placed on one family member who then suffers burnout. Often the best solution is to place a family member in a safe, professional yet homestyle environment where care is focused on their needs 24 hours a day.

Q: Are there different types of Adult Family Homes?

A: Yes, they generally offer the same type of care, but differ in levels of care offered. In the state of Washington each home is limited to a maximum of 6 residents depending on the ability or size of the home. Some homes may have only 1 room. Many have shared rooms due to size of the home, while some larger ones can offer private rooms. A private room is generally more expensive than a shared one, and a shared room is generally available for clients with limited Medicaid financing, or because of size limitation of the home.

Blue Ridge Adult Family Home is a large custom home and offers approximately 2600 square feet of wheelchair accessible resident living on the level main floor. There are 6 private bedrooms, 4 of which have private bathrooms and 2 of which have a large shared bathroom. Each bathroom has a walk in shower and a wall heater. The main bath also has a large roll-in shower.

Q: How do I know which type of care facility to place my family member in?

A: Generally there are three basic types:

Assisted Living facilities are for people who are independent in most ways and who are fully cognizant but might need some assistance with daily living activities. Assisted living is a desired place for seniors who do not yet need an adult family home. They are ambulatory, can easily walk to elevators to the lunchroom and activities that are provided, and do not need watching while sleeping during the night. They live as independently as possible in an apartment setting. Assisting living facilities are typically not licensed to give nursing care.

An Adult Family Home is for those who are forgetful, may fall, need help with remembering things, need assistance with activities of daily living, need monitoring or supervision during the day and at night, or who need more intensive help and care. When the senior requires 24-hour specialized care and he/she is at risk for injuring themself, then he/she should consider moving to an Adult Family Home which has both day and night professional licensed care.

A Nursing Home is for those that require more advanced or specialized care in which a typical Adult Family Home cannot provide. A person who has been determined by a physician to have a condition that requires skilled nursing facilities (i.e., they are a danger to themselves or others or have a debilitating condition) would be a candidate for a nursing home.

Q: How can I tell which level of assistance they need?

A: There are qualified assessors who can do an assessment for an average cost of $300.00. Our nurse delegator is a qualified assessor at a reasonable rate. An assessment is required by law to determine your loved one's care needs and create a care plan based on the assessment. The rates are calculated using a base rate plus extra levels of care. You can contact us and we will provide you with information on how to reach our assessor.

Q: Do Adult Family Homes have an on-site office?

A: An important thing to verify is that there is a small office with an organized record keeping system. For example, Blue Ridge Adult Family Home has a full office complete with custom resident information binders, copy machine, fax, files and computer, along with a state-of-the-art record keeping system and medication charting.

Q: Are there specialty type homes?

A: Some Adult Family Homes specialize in ethnic languages and offer ethnic meals to seniors who prefer that. There are also developmentally disabled, dementia, men's only, women's only, mental health, and other specialty homes. Some allow smokers, others do not. Pets are also a factor with some houses.

Blue Ridge Adult Family Home specializes in all types of care such as dementia and mental health and other needs that can be met. For a full list of care we provide, please visit our Services page. We do not allow smoking or live-in pets to ensure a healthy environment free of asthmatic or allergic conditions, however pets are allowed to visit. We also own all our own medical equipment.

Blue Ridge Adult Family Home - Policies and Procedures

Q: What is required to move into Blue Ridge Adult Family Home?

A: We first have an informal meeting with the resident to see if they are a candidate for our home. Next our nurse delegator will do an assessment before move-in, as required by state law. A care plan will then be created, and medications arranged for.

Rent is on a month-to-month basis. First and last month's rent is required minus any prorated deduction from the first of the month and date of move-in. There are no longterm contracts. No damage deposit required.

The first month is a trial period and resident may elect to move at any time. The home may also deem that the resident may not be suited for stay without giving the usual 30 day notice required. Our tenant/resident rental contract is the state designed and approved form. Other homes may have different policies other than ours.

Q: Is the cost covered by Medicaid or state?

A: Blue Ridge Adult Family Home does not accept Medicaid.

Q: What is covered as far as costs?

A: Everything is included with the exception of personal items, prescriptions, R.N. delegation, medical supplies and incontinent briefs. We own all medical equipment and aids for free use and convenience of our residents.

Q: How does your Adult Family Home handle the medical needs of residents?

A: We have trained staff who are delegated in the care and oversight of the residents by the R.N. who has prescribed the care plan and assesment. They are trained to observe and monitor residents and notice any changes requiring attention. Any concerns are immediately relayed to the health care professionals and any changes in medication, doctor appointments made, or care direction prescribed by them will be implemented. We can call and receive fax prescriptions with delivery to the home by that same evening, relieving family members of that responsibility. We also have a visting home doctor service that can be signed up for, and our R.N. can be retained as a personal consult.

Q: Do your caregivers have specific training for this work?

A: All Adult Family Home staff and providers have to undergo training in:

-Fundamentals of Caregiving
-Nurse Delegation
-CPR / First Aid
-Mental Health and Dementia
-Food Handling

Additionally, a background inquiry check is performed and caregivers must obtain a Nursing Assistant Registered (NAR) card registered with the Department of Health. For more information about our qualified staff, please visit our Staff page.

We have a very low turnover in staff. The primary caregivers have been here since 2006 so they know the residents well and can recognize if there are any changes or issues that are out of character before they become a problem.

Q: Is there 24-hour care?

A: Yes, a caregiver is required to always be in the home as per state regulations. At Blue Ridge Adult Family Home we have 2 caregivers during the day and one awake night staff. The owner also lives on-site in a separate apartment on the top level of the home.

Q: Will my family member receive prompt attention if they need help?

A: Our caregivers are always nearby to give 1-on-1 assistance for all activities of daily living. We have a variety of monitors, call buttons, sensors and alarms to ensure prompt attention and response to resident's needs, as well as close proximity of caregivers to hear them.

Q: Are the bathrooms handicap accessible?

A: All Adult Family Homes are inspected and required to provide safety bars and grab rails for resident safety and protection. However, that is the extent of the requirements. Other than that, bathrooms are just like any other normal home. The majority of adult family homes have 1 to 2 bathrooms with adaptive aids that are shared by all residents.

Blue Ridge Adult Family Home additionally has bathrooms in most bedrooms with custom tile walk-in showers. This way a resident doesn't have to wait to use the bathroom, and walk-in showers enable a resident to safely enter and exit without having to try and lift their legs and body over a high bathtub wall, preventing accidents. The toilets are handicap accessible with easy transfer, the sinks are ADA approved with easy access, and wheelchair accessible.

Q: Are there phones or televisions in the resident's rooms?

A: Adult family Homes vary, and some may not offer those services. The family may have to pay an installer to add a phone or cable line to the room at the family's expense, including the monthly phone service.

At Blue Ridge Adult Family Home we have everything already installed. A complete cable T.V. package is included along with 32" HD flat screen TV at NO EXTRA CHARGE. The private phone line and jack to the bedroom is in place and a phone is included, however the phone service would be paid by the resident (approximately $21.00 per month for basic service). Otherwise anyone may call our home line to talk to their loved one using our cordless phone. This is reccommended for dementia/memory loss residents.

Q: Is English the primary language?

A: Yes, it is important that English be understood, comprehended and spoken in order to be able to properly dispense medications and care for the resident via clear communication.

Blue Ridge Adult Family Home specializes in English as a first language and prepares traditional American dishes as a first food style.

NOTE: It's important that the type of foods and language be asked about when touring any Adult Family Home to ensure your loved one will be understood in his/her native language and will receive meals according to their normal usual diet. A change in diet may not be suitable for them.

Q: If my family member declines significantly, do they have to be moved to a nursing home?

A: The term for that is called "Aging in Place". Blue Ridge Adult Family Home is unique in that we allow residents to Age in Place and eventually hospice. The resident is able to live out their remaining time in a familiar comfortable home environment, unless otherwise indicated by a physician. Aging in Place also spares the family from unneeded distress caused by placing their loved one at such a difficult time in a hospital, or nursing home, and the high cost associated with them.

Q: What are the visiting hours?

A: We have an open door policy within reasonable hours of 8 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Q: Is it the responsibility of family members to make doctor appointments, pick up/deliver medications, transportation, etc?

A: We can make doctor appointments and can help arrange the appointment with the family, but the family would transport resident or arrange for transportation. This is standard for most homes due to insurance limitations. We have a visting home doctor who cares for the majority of the residents in the home. The resident may register with the home doctor if they choose. There is also free prescription deliveries from the pharmacy.

Q: Do we have to pay for damage or carpet stains caused by our family member?

A: We have durable hardwood floors so this shouldn't be an issue.

Q: Who do I contact if I have more questions?

A: Click here to be redirected to our Contact page.

Notice of Disclaimer: The information provided here is the personal observations, opinions and experience of Blue Ridge Adult Family Home and is a general overall synopsis put together in one place intended to cover most issues concerning placement. This is not intended to replace any information available but to add to it.

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