Personal responsibility: What it means for you

INDEPENDENT LIVING

Leisure World Seal Beach is an “Active Adult Community” that offers independent living options (co-op and condominium style housing) under provisions of an age restricted community of persons 55 of age and older. Leisure World, Seal Beach, does not offer any services associated with an assisted living or a skilled nursing facility.

Assisted Living facilities offer personalized supportive services and assistance with day to day living under one roof. All meals, snacks, housekeeping, laundry, medication and bathing assistance is provided for a fee. These are not services that are provided at Leisure World Seal Beach.

A skilled nursing facility provides nursing and rehabilitation services to address medical issues. In some cases, persons may be admitted to a skilled nursing facility for long term custodial care. These are not services that are provided at Leisure World Seal Beach.

When you moved into this “Active Adult Community,” you moved into an Independent Living Community that provides a controlled gated community, centralized maintenance and a variety of amenities. You are selfresponsible and independent to make decisions and choices for yourself and your independence.

So, what happens when your health or ability to function independently change? You as the responsible and independent adult get to make your own decisions and choices for assistance to maintain your independence.

Your Mutual Board is not responsible for your ability to get your food/meals, housekeeping, medication and bathing assistance. They are not responsible for setting up caregiving services, seeing to it that you have services in place, making sure you have a hot meal delivered to your door or managing your medical or mental health needs.

They are responsible for the buildings in their mutual. Period.

This also does not mean that the GRF is responsible for you. The GRF is responsible for maintaining trust property and its amenities.

To be self-responsible and maintain your independence is to do your very best in planning for the unexpected. Make decisions now that will help guide and support you when your health and independence changes.

Plan and discuss your wishes with your family and/or a trusted advisor. Planning lessens the burden on your family by outlining how and where your needs are met, while lessening the need for emergency assistance from community resources. Here are some practical tips in maintaining your independence:

• Put your wishes in writing, advance directives, trusts, powers of attorney, etc.

• Create a plan to have ready should you become sick or unable to manage your household needs.

• Familiarize yourself with resources that you may need before you need them.

GRF Member Resource & Assistance Liaison Cindy Tostado, LCSW, is an excellent resource available to you who can lead you to a variety of services and support. Call her at 431-6586, ext. 317.

Other resources for guidance:

• Orange County Council on Aging, (714) 479-0107

• Orange County Office on Aging, (714) 480-6450 Remember, you are an independent adult who will make independent decisions and choices for yourself. Please exercise your rights and plan accordingly.

—Cindy Tostado. GRF Member Resource & Assistance Liaison