Questions, with clear answers

Monthly cost depends on the apartment and whether you need Independent Living or Residential Care. Ask for current pricing and we will narrow it down with you.

No. Autumn Ridge is a rental community with a month-to-month agreement. There is no entrance fee of the kind continuing care communities charge, and no lease is required.

Three restaurant-style meals a day, basic utilities apart from phone, weekly housekeeping and linen service, laundry service, apartment maintenance, transportation to scheduled appointments and outings, and the full activities calendar. Residential Care adds nursing services, medication management and 24-hour associates.

Coverage depends on the level of care and personal eligibility. Ask about your situation and we will explain what applies, including when the answer is no.

Very possibly. The VA's Aid and Attendance benefit is an addition to a VA pension for veterans and surviving spouses who need help with daily living, and it goes unclaimed constantly. We help families work out whether it is worth applying and assemble the application.

Independent Living removes the household: meals, housekeeping, maintenance, utilities, transportation. Residential Care keeps all of that and adds the care: nursing services, medication management, and associates on site 24 hours a day. Residential Care is state licensed. Both are in the same community.

You move levels, not towns. That is the main reason people choose a community that offers both. The apartment may change, the neighbours, the dining room and the staff do not.

Autumn Ridge offers Independent Living and Residential Care. Our Activities Director is a certified Alzheimer's facilitator, but the right setting depends on the support each person needs. Describe the situation and we will help determine whether Autumn Ridge is a fit. If not, we will say so.

Residential Care includes 24-hour associates and required nursing services. Ask us to confirm the current overnight coverage and staffing pattern.

Physical, occupational and speech therapy are delivered in-house. If you also need temporary housing after a hospital stay, ask whether Autumn Ridge has a furnished apartment available and can support the person's needs.

Yes. Apartments for permanent residents are unfurnished, and people arrive with their own things. A temporary stay requires separate confirmation because furnished apartments are not routinely available.

Pet policies can vary by animal and apartment. Tell us what kind of pet you have and we will confirm what is possible.

Many Independent Living residents drive and keep a car on site. Scheduled transportation exists for everyone else, and for the days when driving is more trouble than it is worth.

Three meals a day, served restaurant style rather than on trays. Family are welcome to eat with you. For today's times and menu, ask, since both change.

It is your home, and people visit homes. For current arrangements, including anything seasonal, ask and you will get today's position.

Layouts and fittings differ from one apartment to the next. Tell us what is needed, such as space for a walker or wheelchair, grab bars or a walk-in shower, and we will help identify the suitable apartments.

Call ahead to arrange a tour. You can also check the current Activity Schedule for anything explicitly marked as open to the public.

Availability changes week to week. Ask what is open and we can share the earliest possible move-in date.

Permanent agreements are month to month. A temporary trial stay is not a standard offering, so ask the community whether a furnished apartment is available.

Come to something public rather than a tour, so nobody is being sold to. Let them lead the visit. And be honest with them about what is worrying you, which is usually more persuasive than a brochure. We have watched a lot of families through this and are happy to talk it through with you first, before your parent is involved at all.