LIFE AT ANNAPOLITAN » SERVICES » GETTING STARTED » TESTIMONIALS » CONTACT US » Home / Learn About Assisted Living Learn About Assisted Living Looking after a loved one who can no longer safely live alone is one of the greatest challenges dedicated caregivers face. An assisted living community can be a comfortable, enriching solution for seniors and their caregivers, offering safety, security and peace of mind. Following are the questions many families and caregivers have as they begin learning about assisted living and the many options for today’s seniors. For more information, please contact us at (410) 757-7000. Are you accepting new admissions? Yes! As the times have changed, so has our admissions process. Please contact us for more information. Can I visit my loved one at the Annapolitan? Yes! Indoor visitation is open to residents’ family and friends with a recent, negative test or proof of vaccination. We even offer convenient, weekly drive-through testing to make it easier for everyone to stay safe. Masks, temperature screens, social distancing, and other safety procedures are required. Please contact us for details. What is the difference between assisted living, senior living, nursing homes and retirement homes? Assisted Living Assisted living offers seniors assistance with the tasks of day-to-day living in a secure, residential community. Assisted living communities are staffed by licensed nurses and/or certified nursing assistants 24 hours a day, and offer assistance with personal tasks such as bathing, dressing, using the toilet, and medications, as well as overall health management and supervision. The Annapolitan also includes a secure memory care neighborhood for residents with Alzheimers or other memory related impairment. This area is safe and protected, with its own programming and specially trained staff, designed to offer those with memory impairment maximum independence and safety. Nursing Home A nursing home typically provides services for residents who require skilled nursing care and ongoing medical assistance or intervention, such as use of a feeding tube or long-term use of intravenous medications. Nursing homes often have more of a “hospital-like” feel because of the needs of the residents. Retirement Home A retirement home may refer to apartment complexes with age minimums. It may also refer to a continuing care community, which is a campus that includes various levels of care, usually with a significant buy-in. Senior Living Senior living is a generic term applied to senior care residences, such as assisted living and other communities. How do I know what kind of residence my loved one needs? The needs of seniors vary greatly. At The Annapolitan, we learn about your loved one’s needs by conducting a thorough assessment and communicating with their physician to ensure assisted living is the right option. What does “level II” care mean in assisted living? As you research assisted living communities, you may see terminology about “levels” of care. The level of care is an indicator of how much care a resident needs, and is usually related to how services are priced. While many communities use this terminology, there is no standard definition for each level of care. Be sure to ask each community how they define their levels and how they determine when the care level for a resident has changed. Once someone is in assisted living, will they have to move if their needs change? When a resident has made The Annapolitan home, we will do all we can to allow them to stay if their needs change, so long as it is in their best interest. We can assist in coordinating on-site physical therapy, visiting nurse services, hospice, and other supportive services that accommodate changing needs. Is assisted living covered under Medicare? Assisted living is not covered under Medicare. The daily or monthly fees and related charges are not covered by Medicare. However, certain regularly covered services such as physical therapy and prescription drug benefits are still covered for seniors living in assisted living residences. Are there veterans benefits for assisted living? Yes. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) awards a special monthly pension benefit called Aid & Attendance for wartime veterans and surviving spouses of deceased wartime veterans. Please see our Veterans page for more information. What is the difference between memory care and assisted living? Memory care is a form of assisted living that is specially geared toward those with advanced Alzheimer’s and other memory related concerns. (Memory impairment may also be referred to as dementia or senile dementia.) Cattail Cove, our memory care neighborhood, has added security to ensure the safety of residents whose memory loss puts them at high risk for wandering into unsafe situations. Specially trained staff provide a higher level of hands-on care and reassurance 24 hours a day. Additionally, the physical layout, color palettes, dining options, and activities programming are geared to offer maximum support, dignity, and independence to those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of memory loss. How do I know if my loved one needs memory care? We evaluate every potential resident for their level of cognitive and physical functioning to determine the environment that will best suit their individual needs. The primary factors we consider are the resident’s safety and the resident’s potential to adapt socially. Safety Memory care is usually the safest option for those who are at risk to wander into inappropriate areas or are likely to leave their home without assistance and become lost. Social Behaviors Alzheimer’s and related memory disorders sometimes cause social behaviors that can lead to isolation. In Cattail Cove, these behaviors are less likely to cause isolation, allowing for the person with Alzheimer’s to more fully adapt, engage, and remain as independent as possible. My loved one is forgetful. Is regular assisted living still an option? Yes. Many families seek assisted living care for a loved one after noticing short-term memory loss, such as forgetting to turn off the stove, or forgetting to take medication on time. People with short-term memory loss related to aging frequently thrive in an assisted living environment where they are supported with gentle reminders and assistance with complex tasks. As long as residents are not in danger of harming themselves or others because of behaviors related to memory loss, assisted living can be an excellent choice. Will we have to change physicians? You are welcome to retain your physician. For your convenience we also have relationships with physicians who visit The Annapolitan regularly. Can we bring our own furniture? What about decorations? Yes! We encourage residents to bring their own furniture and decorations to their new home. (If you prefer to use our furniture, we provide furnished suites at no extra cost.) We’ll gladly paint the apartment and/or bathroom a custom color, too. Can I bring my pet? Yes! We understand and appreciate the special joy that animal companions bring. There is more information about The Annapolitan’s animal residents on our pet policy page. What are your visiting hours? The Annapolitan is our residents’ home and we respect their right to have visitors any time they like. There are no set visiting hours at the Annapolitan, and there is never, ever a charge for guest meals. We welcome residents’ families and friends to join us at meal time and any time. All guests are required to sign in and sign out. Our doors are locked in the evenings for our residents’ safety, with a buzzer entry system for arriving guests. How is the food? We’re really proud of the great food at the Annapolitan. Our Chef is creative and passionate, and dedicated to making wholesome, homemade, satisfying meals for our residents and guests. Our menus are varied and personalized, and can be specialized for those with specific dietary needs. Please join us for a meal or event and see for yourself! Can residents have meals in their apartments? Yes. We are happy to offer room service at no additional charge. Many residents also choose to have micro-fridges and microwaves in their living spaces for special snacks. What is included in the monthly rate? Our standard services include care from licensed nurses, meals, activities and entertainment, and much more. Our fees are determined by three considerations: the type of accommodation, the amount of care needed, and the need for medication management. Do you offer short-term stays? Yes. We offer short-term stays based on availability. All of our regular services are included in the daily rate, which is based on the type of accommodation, level of care, and medication management. For seniors recovering from illness, injury, or surgery, our Get Well Sooner program offers supportive services during those very important and sometimes overwhelming first few weeks after discharge from a hospital or rehabilitation center. Get To Know Us We are currently welcoming new residents. For a private tour and personal conversation about The Annapolitan's services, please call Jim Thompson, Executive Director, at (410) 757-7000. How Can We Help? Frequently Asked Questions Getting Started Guide: 5 Steps To Choosing An Assisted Living Community Photo Gallery Learn More About Memory Care Pet Policy Assisted Living and Memory Care Fees & Availability COVID-19 Information Get To Know Us For a private tour and personal conversation about The Annapolitan's services, please call Jim Thompson, Executive Director, at (410) 757-7000. Contact Us The Annapolitan Assisted Living 84 Old Mill Bottom Road North Annapolis, MD 21409 (410) 757-7000 Quick Links Assisted Living Fees & Availability Assisted Living Veterans’ Services Frequently Asked Questions Assisted Living Pet Policy Driving Directions Covid-19 Information Join Us On Facebook! Created with heart by PurpleHat Designs Copyright © 2021 Annapolitan Assisted Living. All Rights Reserved