Please contact Island Commons Resident Manager, Cheryl Hillicoss (846-6253) to receive answers to ANY questions you may have about admissions or opera~ions at Island Commons. We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions WITH ANSWERS to help you become more familiar with the Island Commons program.
1. Can I bring my pet?
YES, if it is not bothersome to residents, staff, or other pets, and you can care for and control your pet, including exercising, feeding, elimination and noise.
2. Can I keep my car and drive it?
YES, with permission from your physician.
3. Can I be a resident if I use a walker, cane, wheelchair, braces, or hearing aid,
or am bedridden and frail? YES. But, if your care needs exceed staffing abilities when you apply, admission may be delayed, or just not possible until staffing is adequate and trained. If your care needs increase after you have been admitted, the staff will work with your physician and a RN to satisfy all your changed care needs. You will not be sent home or transferred to a skilled care facility, unless you or your family choose to do so. Please ask the Resident Manager about your special needs. Do not assume that you do not qualify.
4. Do I have to be dependent, ill or handicapped in order to be admitted?
NO. A person who pays privately may choose to live at Island Commons for comfort, safety, or companionship, without a care plan. However, those of you who apply at the same time, and have medical needs, or require assistance with activities of daily living, will come first. Medicaid benefits will cover the cost of services only if you qualify financially and require assistance with specific activities of daily living.
5. Can I pay privately now, and receive assistance when the funds run out?
MAYBE. The Island Commons Endowment Fund is set up to assist in such cases. To qualify for Medicaid, you must meet specific guidelines, and have financial AND physical needs. The Resident Manager is prepared to help you in changing your payment plans.
6. I have a fixed income (not enough to pay fully) and I do not want to receive
Medicaid assistance. Can I stay at Island Commons? POSSIBLY. The Island Commons Endowment is set up to help bridge the financial gap to partially fund resident payment obligations. However, it is not intended to fully and permanently fund a resident's total financial needs. If you do qualify for Medicaid, before or during residency at Island Commons, you will be encouraged to apply, or to pursue other means of financial support.
7. Can I be a part-tilne or seasonal resident?
PERHAPS, depending on available space. Medicaid benefits will not cover part-time residency at Island Commons, except for qualified respite care.
8. How much does it cost to live at Island Commons?
This fee is determined by the costs of stafffing, administration, the physical building, systems, insurance, supplies, materials and equipment. Medicaid with Social Security benefits can pay for these costs. Private paying residents will pay a total of $80, $90, or $100/day for Room, Board, and all Services, depending upon your assessed level of care needs.
9. What does my monthly rate pay for?
Your monthly rate pays for ROOM, BOARD, and SERVICES.
ROOM. $312/month. The room fee includes private bedroom, closet, furnishings (if requested), private lavatories in four rooms, use of common areas inside and outside, heat, hot water, electricity, trash removal, telephone and TV jacks, in a spacious, handicapped accessible surrounding. BOARD. $438/month. The board fee includes purchase and cooking of food for three meals each day; special dietary menus; planning and preparation; and set-up & clean-up before and after every meal. SERVICES. $1,650, $1,950, or $2,250/month (depending on level of required care). Service fees include Housekeeping and Care. Housekeeping includes regular cleaning of the entire home; bedmaking, if requested; sanitary inspections; laundry, personal and house; and purchasing all household supplies. Care includes case management; individual care plans; staffing and staff training; personal and theraputic care; medications administration and record keeping; arranging for skilled caregivers; reporting and billing; purchasing of care supplies; activities; nutritious snacks; social interaction; transportation; and above all, maintaining a safe and healthy home in which you are able to live in physical and emotional comfort with the least level of care and the highest level of independence, dignity and pride. Your care will be adapted and increased to meet your changing needs, enabling you to age in place among friends, family, and neighbors on Chebeague.