Somerford Place

Somerford Place is an Assisted Living facility.

Seniors living in Assisted Living Residences are unable to live independently, but do not need nursing home care. Assisted Living is a home-like, congregate housing option that provides meals, housekeeping, laundry, personal care, health care services and social activities in a supportive setting.

The goal of Assisted Living is to maximize a resident's dignity, autonomy, privacy, independence, choice and safety.

Assisted Living Residences provide transportation, 24-hour security with staff available at all times, and access to on-site or nearby health and medical services. Assisted Living Residences strive to keep residents as active and involved as possible through educational, spiritual, social and recreational programs.

Individuals residing in Assisted Living Residences usually have their own suites or apartments complete with a mini-kitchen and private bathroom, in addition to sleeping and living areas. Some choose to share their residences with a spouse or a roommate.

There are Assisted Living Residences that offer dementia care. This is typically provided in a separate and secure "Memory Care Neighborhood." There are a small number of Assisted Living Residences where the entire facility is devoted to providing a supportive environment for those with memory challenges.

Assisted Living Residences typically offer a rental arrangement, with residents or their families paying the entire cost privately. Depending upon the terms of the policy, long term care insurance may pay for Assisted Living. Some states have Medicaid Waiver Programs that are designed to help lower-income seniors reside in an Assisted Living Residence. Many, but not all states, license and/or certify Assisted Living Residences.

For more information on Assisted Living Facilities, visit the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA) at www.alfa.org.

Somerford Place provides specialized Alzheimer's Care.

Although many Assisted Living communities and Nursing Homes cater to individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other related memory disorders or dementia, there is a growing trend towards facilities that provide specialized care and housing tailored to the special needs of individuals with this disease. These facilities offer care that fosters residents' individual skills and interests in an environment that helps to diminish confusion and agitation. Specialty services are provided in a secure environment, such as activity programs designed to include reality orientation classes and specially trained professional staff skilled in handling the behavior associated with memory impairments. Many facilities that specialize in Alzheimer's or related dementia disorders have building design features that assist with the problems associated with this disease: color-coded hallways, visual cues, and secure wandering paths for additional security.