Senior Living FAQs

Independent living is senior housing for active older adults (55+) who need minimal-to-no assistance with the activities of daily living

If you’re able to make your own meals, do your housekeeping and laundry, come and go from the community independently and are interested in the social benefits of a senior living community, independent living could be right for you.

As an independent living resident, you are able to take advantage of everything Mirror Lake Village Senior Living Community has to offer while having the ability to come and go as you please. You can even host a party or invite friends and family to spend time in our common areas.

Also known as a retirement home, an independent living community provides a maintenance-free lifestyle with the opportunity for continuing care if it becomes needed. Residents in independent living may also elect to have the senior community take care of their meals, housekeeping and laundry.

Mirror Lake Village offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite care all in one location to help ease the transition through each stage of aging.

Assisted living is for older adults that require a higher level of care than independent living – but not extensive medical care like you might find in skilled nursing.

If you require assistance with the activities of daily living such as bathing or dressing, medication management, housekeeping and personal laundry, and/or transportation to appointments, assisted living could be right for you.

As an assisted living resident at Mirror Lake Village Senior Living Community, you can expect to receive care services in a nurturing home-like environment with a calendar full of life enrichment activities, exercise classes, and family events.

Mirror Lake Village Senior Living Community is licensed as an assisted living community by the WA governing agency. Each apartment is licensed to provide care, so even if you don’t require extensive care right now, you have the peace of mind knowing those services will be available when needed.

Mirror Lake Village offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite care all in one location to help ease the transition through each stage of aging.

Memory care facilities serve seniors living with memory loss or other memory impairments, providing long term care as symptoms progress.

There are 7 stages of dementia. People in the earlier stages of the disease may be able to live in an assisted living community, but when symptoms such as wandering and exit-seeking progress, it will be time for a specialized memory care community. Staff members in memory care facilities are specially-trained to care for older adults with dementia at any stage.

Mirror Lake Village Senior Living Community has a specialized memory care program designed to to provide assistance with activities of daily living as well as a full schedule of activities appropriate to your loved one’s physical abilities and awareness.

Mirror Lake Village offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and respite care all in one location to help ease the transition through each stage of aging.

Respite care is a short-term stay where you can experience all the wonderful services and amenities that a senior living community has to offer without committing to a move full-time.

There are many reasons why you might want to consider a respite stay. Perhaps you want to “try before you buy”? Perhaps your family is going out of town or you are recovering from surgery or illness? Short-term stays are a great way for you to get the extra care and help you need while finding out firsthand what life is like at a senior living community.

Respite care usually comes with a minimum length of stay (1 week – 1 month) and is charged at a daily rate. Not ready to go home after your stay? Ask us how you can easily convert your respite stay into a full-time move.

Find out more on our Respite Care page.

The level of care you choose will mainly be based on your needs. Take a look at our descriptions of each care level above and decide which one fits you best. If you’re still unsure, feel free to give us a call. We’ll be happy to complete a quick discovery call to help you decide which level of care is best for you.

At Mirror Lake Village Senior Living Community, the base rent includes:

• 3 meals a day,
• Weekly housekeeping
• General maintenance
• Activities and life enrichment program
• Utilities such as electricity, water and garbage
• Basic cable television
• 24-hour staff

We also offer courtesy scheduled transportation for all our residents to activities within the local area. Special transportation services may be scheduled at an additional cost.

In addition to the above basic services provided to all of our residents, Mirror Lake Village can provide many optional care services designed to accommodate individual needs.

Just a few of the daily services we can provide are:

• Assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, etc
• Medication assistance
• Escorts to activities and dining
• Incontinence management

As care requirements increase, we will work with your doctor and healthcare providers to ensure your needs are met. We also offer a number of third-party healthcare services onsite for your convenience. When the time comes, we work closely with hospice agencies so that we can ensure the appropriate hospice services will be available for our residents within the scope of our state regulations.

Senior living communities are designed to provide a nurturing, comfortable home-like environment as well as supportive services such as medication management and grooming and dressing assistance. Here’s what you can expect when you move into a community:

1. Social Activities and Outings – Mirror Lake Village offers a wide array of daily activities—both on-site events and off-site excursions—for the interest, entertainment and well-being of our residents. The monthly schedule of activities may include arts and craft projects, outings to theater productions or movies, sporting events, restaurants, board and card games, religious programs, and much more.
2. Nutritious meals with friends – Communal dining is an excellent opportunity for you to socialize with your fellow residents over meals. In addition to mingling, you will also enjoy a delicious meal. Healthy meals have become a huge part of senior dining. You will often find fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, lower sodium choices, gluten-free options; and vegetarian meals
3. Little to no housekeeping and/or maintenance – Cleaning and maintaining a comfortable environment is the responsibility of housekeepers in your community. Maintenance and repair workers are responsible for maintaining a safe environment. These workers look for and resolve problems as they occur, ensuring that every aspect of your space is fully functional and effective.
4. Help with personal care (if needed) – Senior living communities typically provide caregivers 24 hours a day to assist residents with personal care, such as dressing in the morning, eating meals, or taking a bath in the evening. In addition, caregivers are always on call to meet any unscheduled needs.
5. In-house amenities and convenience options – Different communities offer different convenience options, but some of them include beauty salons and barbershops, library, activity room, and community garden.

We also offer courtesy scheduled transportation for all our residents to activities within the local area. Special transportation services may be scheduled at an additional cost.

In addition to the above basic services provided to all of our residents, Mirror Lake Village can provide many optional care services designed to accommodate individual needs.

Just a few of the daily services we can provide are:

• Assistance with bathing, dressing, grooming, etc
• Medication assistance
• Escorts to activities and dining
• Incontinence management

As care requirements increase, we will work with your doctor and healthcare providers to ensure your needs are met. We also offer a number of third-party healthcare services onsite for your convenience. When the time comes, we work closely with hospice agencies so that we can ensure the appropriate hospice services will be available for our residents within the scope of our state regulations.

Though the two terms are often used interchangeably, senior living facilities and nursing homes are actually two completely different things.

A senior living community (also known as a retirement community) is a residential facility designed to give older adults a healthy social environment with a calendar full of life-enriching activities, all in a stay-at-home setting. Think of a cruise ship with medical assistance that is available should you need it. Senior living is the perfect option for older adults who are mostly independent but may occasionally require assistance with day-to-day living.

A skilled nursing facility (also referred to as a nursing home) is an in-patient medical treatment and rehabilitation center staffed with trained medical professionals. Patients receive 24-hour medical supervision due to physical or mental conditions that leave them unable to care for themselves. A stay in a skilled nursing facility is the equivalent of a long-term hospital stay. It is not intended to be a permanent option for your housing needs.

Choosing the right senior living community is a big deal. You want to feel at home, but you also need to ensure you’re receiving the type of care you need and sense of community that you are looking for. Here are eight tips for comparing communities and making your final decision:

1. Know your needs – Determine what is going to be important in your new home and prioritize your list of requirements as you begin evaluating facilities.
2. Decide on location – Do you want to be close to family in the suburbs or smack dab in the center of town?
3. Take a tour – You’ll know it when you feel it, and you’ll only feel it when you see it
4. Check out the activities calendar – Do they have enough going on to keep you occupied? Does the range of activities on offer suggest you’ll have things in common with your fellow residents?
5. Watch the interactions between staff and residents – Do they seem calm and happy?
6. Inquire about the care team – How long have they been there? What is the staff to resident ratio?
7. Due Diligence – Make sure the community is licensed to provide care if you need it
8. Consider the financials – What is the cost and what you are getting for your money? Do they accept medicaid if you qualify?

Senior living communities are a great option for couples who want to spend the rest of their days together. They provide safety and security that make it easier for you to age in place, without worrying about being alone.

In most cases, spouses can live together in the same apartment. This is assuming that the level of care is fairly similar for each person. A second resident fee will apply to cover utilities, activities, apartment services such as housekeeping, as well as meals and dining services. Care plans will be charged separately according to each person’s needs.

Since Mirror Lake Village Senior Living Community offers a range of care options within the same community, we can also accommodate couples with very different care levels that want to stay close to one another. For example, if your spouse requires memory care but you are independent, you can both live in our community and each get what you need from your living environment.

We allow small dog breeds, cats, and birds at Mirror Lake Village Senior Living Community. You must be able to care for your pet (pets are not allowed in memory care) and all animals must be pre-approved by our Executive Director. Criteria taken into consideration for approval includes size, weight, type of animal and the ability to live with older adults. Cats and dogs must be well-behaved, house trained, be spayed or neutered, and have a recent Veterinarian statement of good health. We follow State and Federal Guidelines regarding service and companion animals.

A non-refundable $500 pet fee is applicable for each pet. At the time you are unable to care for your pet, external arrangements must be made with the Executive Director and at the owner’s expense.

The cost of living in a senior living facility varies considerably based on location, level of care, apartment type, and personal care options. Most senior living communities will charge a monthly base rate that covers your apartment, meals, utilities, maintenance, housekeeping, transportation and activities. The monthly rate will be more expensive for higher levels of care to factor in the extra services that you will receive e.g. assisted living will have a higher monthly base rate than independent living.

Another cost to consider is your care plan. Mirror Lake Village Senior Living Community is able to assist with a wide range of personal care needs but you will only be charged for the services that you require. Our Executive Director and Wellness Director (Nurse) will be able to determine the monthly cost of your care plan after completing an assessment and learning more about your unique needs, specific requests, lifestyle and routine. Sample questions asked during the assessment may include:

• What types of medications are you currently taking? How often do you take them?
• When do you typically wake up?
• When do you like to get dressed? Do you need help getting dressed?
• How often do you prefer to shower or bathe?
• What is your daily routine?
• How do you like to spend your time?
• What types of services would you like to receive?
• Who do you call for help now?
• What daily tasks are difficult for you?
• What concerns do you have?

After the assessment is completed, you will have an accurate monthly cost based on the apartment you have chosen combined with your care plan.

When doing your research, we recommend you take a look at the expenses you are already paying for, whether that be…

• A mortgage
• Utility bills
• Grocery bills
• Cable and internet bills
• In-home healthcare bills
• Prescription costs
• Entertainment

…to determine precisely how much money is already going toward living costs and how that might compare to the monthly cost of your senior living community.

Most people pay for senior living through a combination of private funds or proceeds from selling a home however there may be assistance available. If you are a veteran, you could be entitled to Veterans Aid & Attendance which can provide up to $2,200 a month to a veteran and their spouse or up to $1,900 a month for a veteran without a dependent. For more information, visit your local or regional VA center, or visit the VA website.

If you have a long-term care insurance or life insurance policy, you may be able to use that to help pay for your senior living costs. Be sure to consult a financial advisor before considering these options.

If the above options aren’t available to you, you’re not out of luck. Financial assistance through Medicaid or state assistance programs may be available if you meet certain requirements. Find out what assistance programs are available in your state.

For most people, moving into an assisted living facility and leaving a home you have lived in for years can be overwhelming. Here are five tips to help you prepare and downsize like a pro to ensure you’re bringing exactly what you need, and nothing more.

1. Get help with packing and moving – Beyond hiring movers, you can enlist the help of a senior move manager who specializes in the transition and relocation of older adults
2. Be mindful of your new space – Use the floor plan of your new apartment when deciding on what items to bring to avoid overcrowding and possible injury from furnishings that can become trip hazards.
3. Sort your items purposefully – Divide items into groups or boxes labeled: Keep, Trash, Donate; and Sell.
4. Take pictures or items you aren’t keeping – It’s natural to experience difficulty parting with an item. Keeping a photo album of items with fond memories may help keep those feelings alive.
5. Expect emotions and stay positive

If you have a house to sell, we’re here to help you navigate that road as smoothly as possible. We work with local real estate agents, referral sources, moving companies, estate planners, etc., who may be able to assist you in selling your home and answering your questions and concerns about the sale of your home.

Here are 5 Categories of Items You Should Bring Along:

1. Personal Items – For the first few nights before boxes get fully unpacked, it’s a good idea to pack a bag with things like a change of clothes, pajamas, medications, toiletries, eyeglasses, etc.
2. Home Furnishings and Decor – Decorative items that will make the new space feel like home include plants, pictures, special items, etc.
3. Entertainment – Although your community will have a variety of entertainment activities, you may want to keep a few items for entertainment in your apartment like computer, iPad, radio, books, etc.
4. Housewares – You may need a few items for a small kitchenette or just to make an afternoon cup of coffee.
5. Cleaning Supplies – For small unexpected messes or quick clean-ups you may need a broom and dustpan, surface wipes or multipurpose spray, stain removal spray, paper towels and kitchen towels, etc.

If your loved one is starting to need more care and assistance with day-to-day tasks but every time you try to recommend making the transition into assisted living, it’s an immediate “no”, it can be hard to know how to move forward. Here’s our tips for broaching the topic of senior living with a reluctant loved one:

1. Never ‘Spring’ a Move or Relocation – When deciding on whether or not to move a loved one into senior living, remember that they should be involved in the discussion and as much of the decision-making process as possible.
2. Have Empathy – Do you fear getting older and losing more and more of your independence? Most people do. While it can be a frustrating situation for everyone involved, try providing reassurance, staying calm, and putting yourself in your loved one’s position to make the discussion and possible transition easier.
3. Provide Options – Let them explore the different communities in your area. Ask what days they would feel most comfortable visiting a community, what location they’d like to live in and what kinds of activities they prefer the community offer
4. Highlight the Benefits – If your loved one is refusing to move into senior living, remind them that the transition isn’t about taking away their independence, it’s to help encourage it. In a senior living community, they can overcome loneliness, enjoy activities they love; and not worry about the everyday challenges they face around their house.
5. Consult a Neutral Third Party – Sometimes, the messenger makes all the difference. Involving a third party, like a physician, another family member, or pastor can help you create a more compelling message and make it easier to hear.
6. Discuss How Your Life Is Being Affected – Don’t guilt trip them but explain to them how caring for them — dishes, grocery shopping, cleaning, appointments, all the things that lead to burnout — has taken away from your one-on-one time with them that you enjoy.
7. Visit a Community – The best time to visit is during active times, such as lunch/dinner, social events, classes, outdoor recreation times, etc.

You may, understandably, feel hesitant about moving to senior living because of Covid. Keeping our residents safe is our highest priority. Here are some of the safety measures in place at Mirror Lake Village Senior Living Community:

• Enhanced sanitation and infection control
• All staff wear medically approved PPE
• Access to state and local health and safety resources
• Strict adherence to disease control and prevention measures from the CDC
• Timely COVID-19 testing and contact tracing
• Spot quarantining for residents and staff that test positive
• Access to the COVID-19 vaccine

Visit our COVID page to learn more.