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The Crossings at Falls Run, located just off U.S. 17 |
THE CROSSINGS
By the end of November, it will let residents in its independent-living apartments request the services offered in assisted-living units without having to move.
"It's worked really well in our sister communities," said Anne Overington, director of sales and marketing. "It's a new model for us."
Asking for reclassification from independent to assisted living would allow a resident who has had surgery to have a nurse's aide come into his apartment to help him until he has recovered, for example. Then he could ask to have his independent-living classification back.
Someone who needs help with such things as bathing, taking medications and transportation could ask for the reclassification as well, and the neighbors might never know.
"If they need to, they can still present an independent lifestyle," said Susan Haynes, The Crossings' new executive director.
The option to reclassify is likely to be popular because more people are interested in aging in place, Overington said. It also could have other benefits since neighbors can influence each other's health, behavior and emotions.
The Crossings staff decided on the change after noting that its 42 assisted-living units and 16 Harmony Square secured units for residents with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia had been rented in just seven months. Yet only half of its 115 independent-living units, which are larger and have full kitchens, were occupied after a year.
That showed that there was a need for more assisted-living care in the area, said Haynes.
The Crossings is two-thirds of the way through a construction project that will bring it up to the requirements needed to allow assisted-living care in the independent-living apartments. The work is expected to be completed by the end of November.
If a resident in an independent-living apartment wants to be reclassified, his or her doctor will need to fill out a health form for The Crossings, and then its clinical team will assess the resident's needs and decide how to meet them. This can include such things as skilled care and physical modifications such as grab bars in the bathroom. The apartment also will be licensed by the Department of Social Services.
Cathy Jett: 540/374-5407
Email: cjett@freelancestar.com
