General
What is the staff-to-resident ratio?
8 Residents to 1 Caregiver.
What level of dementia care expertise do your staff members have?
All staff members/team members receive ongoing monthly dementia training. All staff members must have 12 hours annually at a minimum.
How do you assess a resident's needs upon admission?
Our manager will do a face to face assessment with the potential resident and family.
Do you create individualized care plans for each resident?
Yes, they are completed annually and also done anytime things change with a resident’s needs.
What are the different levels of care offered at your facility?
We are all inclusive meaning we will do all care needs and not charge anything additional when things change and needs increase.
What are the costs associated with care, including any additional fees?
Currently all inclusive cost is $6995 monthly, as of January 2025 $7275. *I think it would be better for them to call us to find out the rates so we can talk with them and try to form a relationship.
Care & Activities
What types of activities and programs are available for residents with dementia?
Daily activities are available to engage residents both cognitively and physically.
How do you engage residents with different stages of dementia in activities?
Activities are simplified as needed so that each resident feels successful.
Do you offer specialized programming for behavioral issues related to dementia?
Engagement is the secret to helping people with behavior issues plus we all want to feel useful and needed. At San Gabriel we provide many opportunities for our residents to engage in meaningful and purposeful activities.
How do you handle mealtimes for residents with dementia?
Family style dining/Social setting. Can work with special diets. Offer options if residents do not care for what is on the menu.
Are there opportunities for residents to socialize and interact with others?
Continuously. Engaging activities offered daily and dining room socialization. Residents form bonds with other residents.
Safety & Security
What safety features are in place to prevent wandering and falls?
The buildings are designed in a manner that allows for wandering throughout the building and not coming to dead end hallways. This allows the residents to freely walk around. Fall prevention is something we look at on a resident by resident basis. We look at whether they need therapy to be more steady on their feet. Gentle reminders throughout the apartment to remind them to ask for help or to use their walker, etc.
How do you monitor residents' health and well-being?
Our nurses monitor the residents’ well being on the clinical side daily as they are also the ones who administer all medications. Having a small number of residents allows our staff to spend more time with each resident and really get to know them better which leads to knowing when something is changing in their health and well-being.
What procedures are in place for emergencies?
All staff are trained in how to assess a situation when a resident has fallen or had an incident. All staff are also trained in how to respond to emergencies such as fires and tornados.
How do you manage resident behavior that could pose a safety risk?
We work closely with the family/POA as well as the physicians to try and find an adequate approach to a resident’s behavior. We have a geriatric psychiatrist who can be contacted via televisits as well. If a resident is considered a safety risk we would work to get them into an inpatient behavioral health hospital to try to get medications on board that will help with the behaviors.
Communication & Family Involvement
How often will I be updated on my loved one's care?
If there are changes in needs or care the POA/family is notified. In addition, since we are small and do not have “closed door” offices, a family often sees us and talks to us (nurse, manager) when visiting their loved one because we let them in and out.
How do you communicate with family members about any significant changes in their loved one's condition?
We are in contact with families by phone or by email as well as in person during their visits.
Are family members welcome to participate in resident activities?
Families are encouraged to join activities at any time.
How do you involve family members in the care planning process?
Each care plan is discussed and reviewed by the family.
Other Tips
Visit the facility in person
Observe the environment, staff interactions with residents, and overall atmosphere.
Ask about staff training
Ensure staff are properly trained in dementia care techniques and communication strategies.
Consider your loved one's specific needs
Evaluate which facility can best address their unique challenges and preferences.
Check licensing and accreditation
Verify the facility meets all necessary regulatory standards.
