Age In Place....Really?

by Rebecca Weitzel

When introducing families to our community, I explain that our residents enjoy "Aging in Place".  This is a popular buzz phrase that’s currently misused, misunderstood and incorrectly offered by many assisted living providers.  Saying that mom can “Age in Place”….sounds nice, but what exactly does it take to make (and keep) this promise? 

Regrettably it is important to understand and anticipate that a person suffering from dementia declines over time.  As conditions worsen, care levels increase, frequently to the point of becoming acute.

Most Tampa Bay AL’s operate with a Standard License and provide routine personal care services to their residents.  Florida guidelines specifically define these services, which are quite limited in scope, as they do not permit delivery of the higher care needs required of more progressed residents.

Pacifica Senior Living Belleair has earned and been awarded a Specialty License called an Extended Congregate Care License (ECC License).  This permits us to legally give and manage higher acuity care needs than can other communities.  Having this designation allows residents to live here without the threat of one day having to move into a skilled nursing home.  Therefore when speaking to families, I legitimately offer “aging in place, here in our cottages, because we are licensed to provide for the increasing healthcare needs of our residents. 

We are one of few dementia care communities in Pinellas County to hold an ECC license.  Having been awarded this specialty license by the State of Florida, Pacifica Senior Living Belleair offers "Aging in Place" ....really!  From the earliest stage of memory care need through the entire journey, our residents remain here, at home, with us. This is one more promise we make (and keep) that makes Pacifica “just the right place” for many Bay Area families.

Contributing author Rebecca Weitzel is the Community Relations Coordinator at Pacifica Senior Living Belleair in Clearwater, Florida.