Rose Of Waterloo

I’m Amy Van Ellen, the RN Administrator of Open Arms

Hopefully I can also assist in answering some of your questions. As a tier 1 assisted living facility, we employ trained staff to meet the current needs of the building. All tenants must be assessed to verify that they are safely independent with aspects of living outside of our visits. We have 3 RNs on staff, who work Monday through Friday; there is always a staff person present in the building. To be accepted to the Rose and to remain at the Rose, all tenants must be able to safely transfer themselves from one surface to another without physical touch assist; they must be able to manage their incontinence (if any), including cleansing, disposing, and changing any product that they need. They also must be cognitively intact or at a level that they pose no threat to themselves or others. If at any time these criteria are not met after interventions, including additional training/strengthening from therapies and added services, they must transfer to a higher level of care. We would rather a tenant age in place here, but there are some things we are not designed to manage.

Transportation

We don’t have transportation, but there are local options, and if the tenant receives Medicaid, there are payment/arrangements that can assist with transportation.

Staff Training

All staff have to complete 12 hours of training on topics such as HIPAA and bloodborne pathogens. We have yearly supervisions where staff are observed providing care, and if a situation arises where a new skill is needed, that training is provided using videos, hands-on training, and/or written directives with return demonstration.

Well-being and Safety Measures

I am not sure what you mean by asking for the measures taken to ensure the well-being and safety of the tenants. We are a secure building. Tenants may leave at any time. The door locks when someone enters or exits, and we use an intercom system to allow outsiders in if they have business in the building. There are cameras located throughout the building, and there is staff in the building at all times.

Short Term or Respite Stays

We do not offer short term or respite stays. We are an apartment building, and each person here has their own apartment. We do not have general rooms that would be available short term.

Emergency Contact and Decision Making

As all of our tenants are able to make their own decisions and participate in their care, if they insist that they do not want anyone notified of any type of occurrence, that is their right. We prefer to have an emergency contact on file in case of such issues, but they can request that notification should not take place.

Conclusion

The questions you have posed seem more aimed at a long-term, residential type of setting, such as a group home or nursing home. We are not that type of facility. I hope that this was helpful and that we were able to answer some of your questions.