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Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I start?

With so many choices in senior living and health care services, getting started can be the hardest part!  Whether you're doing long-range retirement planning or seeing to resolve an immediate health care situation, it is important to start with a clear understanding of the most current definitions of senior housing and health care services as you being your search.

The following definitions should assist you with step #1.  What type of living situation should I be considering?

What are the differences between all of your residences, such as Independent Living, Assisted Living, Nursing Care and living in a Continuing Care Retirement Community?

Independent Living is a house or apartment designed specifically for older adults (age 55+, sometimes 62+) who are able to manage their homes and daily activities without supervision or medical assistance.  Independent living can be offered as a stand-alone residence, such as one in a senior apartment building or as part of a larger community with a wide range of services, such as one in a Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC).  Eliza Jennings Senior Care Network offers Independent Living at The Renaissance, a CCRC.

Assisted Living offers residency that is a middle ground between independent living and nursing care.  Once known as personal care homes, residential care facilities, sheltered housing, or domiciliary care, assisted living is a good choice for those who do not require the extensive medical care provided in nursing care but are not able to manage living on their own.  Staff is available to provide 24-hour comprehensive assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as dressing, grooming, eating, mobility and hygiene.  A variety of activities and social events as well as transportation, cleaning and laundry services are also typical features of assisted living.  Assisted living may be available as a stand-alone community or as part of a CCRC.  Eliza Jennings Senior Care Network offers Assisted Living at Devon Oaks, a stand-alone community, and at its CCRC, The Renaissance. 

Nursing Care communities are licensed by the state and offer furnished rooms and health care to residents who require consistent and ongoing medical care with physician oversight yet do not require hospitalization.  There are three levels of nursing care: skilled, intermediate and custodial.  Skilled care is the highest level of service.  It must be prescribed by a physician and may only be performed by or under the supervision of technical personnel, such as a Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or physical therapist.  Skilled care is often necessary as part of a rehabilitation program, and is for individuals who require continuous care.  Intermediate care is less intensive than skilled care and is appropriate for individuals who do not need 24-hour attention.  Custodial care is appropriate once specific technical personnel are not needed for daily care but the individual is not likely to make further significant improvement.  Eliza Jennings Senior Care Network nursing communities are licensed for all three levels of service, and are both Medicare and Medicaid certified.  Eliza Jennings is a stand-alone nursing community, whereas nursing care at The Renaissance Health Center is a part of The Renaissance CCRC.

A Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) offers older adults the ability to "age in place" by providing independent living, assisted living and nursing care accommodations, usually on the same property, with the ability to transfer between these residences as their needs change in the future.  In addition, a CCRC typically provides independent living residents with a service package designed to provide a carefree lifestyle.  Transportation, activities, interior and exterior maintenance, flexible dining services and utilities are just a few of the services available at many CCRCs.  Eliza Jennings Senior Care Network owns and operates The Renaissance, a full-service CCRC.

News & Publications

News Releases
Access news releases from Eliza Jennings Senior Care Network.

Publications
Read or download Eliza Jennings Senior Care Network publications, including The Journal and the Annual Report.

Resources

You are not alone during this process. Listed below are organizations, books and Web sites that provide information about senior living options.

Cleveland Department of Aging
City Hall
601 Lakeside Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44114
(216) 664-2833
Assists older adults with issues such as home repairs, outreach and health issues.

Cleveland Area Alzheimer’s Association
12200 Fairhill Road
Cleveland, Ohio 44120
(216) 721-8457
Works to advance research and ensure that people with Alzheimer’s disease have the information, care and support needed to live life as fully as possible with the disease.

Ohio Department of Aging
50 West Broad Street
9th Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 466-5500
Works closely with statewide agencies, advocates and service providers to advocate and serve older Ohioans.

Signal^SM geriatric assessment program
26376 John Road
Olmsted Township, Ohio 44138
(440) 235-7100, ext. 2511
Outpatient geriatric assessment program provided by Eliza Jennings Senior Care Network.

State of Ohio Long-Term Care Ombudsman/Elder Rights Hotline
(800) 282-1206
Advocates for individuals and groups of residents providing information to residents and their families about the long-term care system, and works to effect system changes on a local, state and national level.

Western Reserve Area Agency on Aging
925 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44115
(216) 621-8010
Responsible for planning, coordinating and administering state and federally funded programs and services for older adults.

Assisted Living Federation of America
11200 Waples Mill Rd
Suite 150
Fairfax, Virginia 22030
(703) 691-8100
Organization formed to advance the assisted living industry and enhance the quality of life for older adults.

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Books

Bathauer, Ruth M.; Parent Care: A Guide to Help Adult Children Provide Care and Support for Their Aging Parents. Venture, CA: Regal Books, 1990
Available at Amazon.com

Greenberg, Vivian E.; Your Best Is Good Enough: Aging Parents and Your Emotions. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books, 1989
Available at Amazon.com

Jacobsen, Jamia Jasper; Help! I’m Parenting My Parents. Indianapolis, IN: Benchmark Press, 1988
Available at Amazon.com

Mancini, Jay A.; Aging Parents and Adult Children. Lexington, MA: Lexington Books, 1989
Available at Amazon.com

Morse, Sarah, and Robbins, Donna Quinn; Moving Mom and Dad! Berkeley, CA: Lanier Publishing International, Ltd., 1998
Available at Amazon.com

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 14650 Detroit Ave., Suite 710     Lakewood, Ohio 44107     Phone: (216) 226-5000      
 © 2008 Eliza Jennings Senior Care Network