Helpful information for an important decision

We understand that moving to a senior living community can be a little overwhelming. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of the most common questions we’re asked, all providing useful insight into our communities. For questions not included, please feel free to reach out.

Living Options

  • Independent living is designed for those who do not require staff assistance with daily living activities such as dressing, bathing, toileting, eating and ambulating
  • Typically, independent living residents are those who can attend meals and activities without reminders and ambulate without assistance from others
  • Independent living is offered at our Sonata West community

  • Assisted living is intended for those who require assistance with daily activities – such as dressing, bathing, toileting and ambulating – and are not at risk of elopement or wandering
  • Assisted living is staffed around-the-clock and provides on-site staff response
  • Assisted living allows seniors to obtain assistance with daily activities and chores such as housekeeping, cooking and laundry as well as with more personal needs such as managing medications, bathing, dressing, toileting/incontinence care, eating and ambulating
  • To qualify, individuals must be deemed appropriate by the community and a licensed health care provider, as well as meet all other admission criteria outlined by the State of Florida in F.A.C. 58.A.: flrules.org/gateway/ChapterHome.asp?Chapter=58A-5
  • Assisted living is offered at our Sonata West community

  • Alzheimer’s and dementia care, also referred to as memory care, can provide a supportive environment for persons who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other memory impairments and need assistance with daily activities such as dressing, bathing, toileting/incontinence care and ambulating
  • This type of care is provided within an environment that is specifically designed for those who may be at risk of wandering or elopement
  • At Sonata, we proudly offer Serenades memory care at three stand-alone communities in Central Florida (The Villages, Longwood and West Orange), as well as within our campus at Sonata at Melbourne

  • While assisted living and memory care are both able to assist residents with their medications, daily activities, meal preparation, housekeeping and laundry, memory care is dedicated to persons who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, dementia or other memory impairments; in addition, a memory setting is appropriate for those who are at risk of wandering or elopement as well as those who may need assistance with eating
  • Sonata’s memory care approach revolves around person-directed care, purpose-built design and partnerships with families

We are not a skilled nursing home, so we cannot provide care for those that are bedridden, need continuous IVs, require more than a two-person transfer, need a feeding tube, or cannot bear weight.

It is our goal to help residents remain in our community as they age although this may not always be possible. If need be, we partner with hospice to provide services which are covered by Medicare. These services can be provided in assisted living and memory care.

Serenades Memory Care

  • Alzheimer’s and dementia care, also referred to as memory care, can provide a supportive environment for persons who have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other memory impairments and need assistance with daily activities such as dressing, bathing, toileting/incontinence care and ambulating.
  • This type of care is provided within an environment that is specifically designed for those who may be at risk of wandering or elopement.
  • At Sonata, we proudly offer Serenades memory care at three stand-alone communities in Central Florida (The Villages, Longwood and West Orange), as well as within our campus at Sonata at Melbourne.

  • Our free-standing Serenades communities (in Longwood, West Orange and The Villages) have three neighborhoods in each community with between 15–18 residents per neighborhood
  • Our Serenades memory care within our Sonata at Melbourne campus has two neighborhoods with 15–18 residents each

We have both private and companion (shared) suites available. Our companion suites include two bedrooms with a shared bath.

We encourage families to work closely with our Community Relations Director who will help facilitate a smooth transition and assist with relocation services.

Should a resident become bedridden, need continuous IVs, require more than a two-person transfer, need a feeding tube, cannot bear weight, and not qualify for hospice services, he/she will have to move out of the community. Additionally, a resident must move out of the community if he/she becomes a threat to themselves or others.

Staff

Each community has a licensed nurse on staff every shift.

Sonata chooses to exceed all state-mandated staffing ratios and staffs each neighborhood around-the-clock. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) are assigned to specific resident neighborhoods to promote continuity of care. Additionally, Sonata staffing includes a licensed nurse on duty at all times. Staffing levels are adjusted as necessary based on the acuity level of the residents.

Members of our Serenades staff have been specially trained in the Teepa Snow Positive Approach™ to Care, an intensive training program to help caregivers with residents affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia. Sonata’s investment in this approach will provide our caregivers with the tools to better understand dementia and dementia-related behaviors, improving the day-to-day experiences and quality of life. Visit the official Teepa Snow website for more information.

We have visiting physicians that come to each community to see residents. This service is billed through the resident’s Medicare or insurance. ARNPs, physician assistants, podiatrists, mobile dentists, psychologists and psychiatrists may also be available to see residents at the community.

Fees

The monthly fee includes the apartment of the resident’s choice, three nutritious meals and snacks between meals, utilities, cable television, internet, housekeeping and linen service, apartment maintenance, transportation, and activities. Assisted living and memory care rates also include personal laundry and basic personal care services. Additional care and services are available for an additional monthly fee.

  • Additional monthly fees are determined by each resident’s level of care. There is no “one size fits all” policy, so the level of care will be determined prior to move-in through an evaluation. Should a resident require additional personal care services, the evaluation will determine the appropriate level of care and associated care fee. Basic level of care is included in the rent for assisted living and memory care. Should a resident’s evaluation conclude that necessary care exceeds services provided within this basic level of care, additional level of care fees may apply.
  • Residents are responsible for their incontinence products, medications, personal need items, and beauty or barber shop services. We are able to assist with purchasing incontinence products and personal needs items should the resident or family prefer.
  • A one-time community fee is required for residents to move in. This fee is non-refundable and is designed for ongoing maintenance of shared areas within the community and capital improvements.

Rent increases due to cost of living are typically given on a resident’s one-year anniversary date of move-in. Historically, the increase has hovered around 4–6%.

  • Long-term care policies
    • Typically covers room, board and care based on a daily rate set by the policy. Policies vary with elimination periods, levels of assistance required for care, and length of coverage. Our Community Relations Director will be more than willing to provide a complimentary policy review to help you understand how your policy can pay for care.
  • VA benefits
    • The Aid & Attendance program, offered through the Department of Veterans Affairs, offers a qualified veteran and/or their surviving spouse a pension ranging from $1,000–$2,000 per month. Our community can help provide more information if you believe you or your loved one may be eligible for this benefit.
  • Other financial resources for seniors may be found here »

The community fee is a one-time fee which is paid prior to move-in. This fee is used for maintaining the common areas of the community that are shared by all residents and for capital improvements made to the community. It’s much like an HOA fee, but only collected one time and is non-refundable.

Level-of-care Costs

  • Level of care is determined by an evaluation conducted by our Wellness Director upon a resident’s move into the community, taking into consideration the personal needs and services each individual requires whether it’s supervision or assistance for a particular daily task or preference. Using the completed 1823 Health Assessment, any physician orders and the evaluation, the level of care is determined.
  • Level-of-care fees are based on the number of points assigned to the evaluation. Memory care rent includes our first three levels of care. Assisted living monthly rent includes the first level of care. Additional level of care charges are dependent upon assessed needs and the corresponding level-of-care fee.
  • Level of care can change based on the needs of the resident. Evaluations are conducted prior to a resident moving into the community, 30 days after the move-in and semi-annually. Should a resident have a significant change in condition, an updated evaluation will be administered and discussed with the resident and/or family to review these changes for an agreed upon service plan.

We evaluate residents prior to move-in, thirty days after move-in, quarterly for memory care, biannually for assisted and independent living, and upon a change of condition.

Nutrition

Yes. We monitor residents’ diets in accordance with a physician’s order. We also keep an eye on nutrition through weight tracking.

  • “Regular Diets”
  • “No Concentrated Sweets” includes most foods allowed on the “Regular Diet” with routine use of sugar substitutes, sugar-free desserts and syrups, no added sugar, and sugar-free jellies
  • “Low Sodium” based on the “Regular Diet” but without salt served on the table; uses salt in cooking according to the recipe; allows salt substitutes to be provided
  • “Finger Foods” are served in a manner appropriate for holding in the hand or picking up with the fingers (i.e. bite-size pieces and sandwiches)
  • Diets will be prepared consistent with the community’s dietician-approved menus and will be reviewed annually by a registered dietician

Safety

  • Independent living:
    • Resident check-in
    • Call system positioned near the toilet and shower for easy access
    • Personal call pendants are available for an additional fee
    • Overnight security guard
    • Closed-circuit cameras monitor common areas and entryways
  • Assisted living:
    • Call system positioned near the toilet and shower for easy access
    • Personal call pendants are given upon move-in at no additional cost
    • Overnight security guard
    • Closed-circuit cameras monitor common areas and entryways
  • Memory care:
    • Roam alert notifies staff if a residents attempts to leave the building, neighborhood or unit
    • Nighttime amber lighting provides cueing for bathroom location and allows staff to provide care without turning bright lights on
    • Motion sensor alerts
    • Community entrances are secured and may only be accessed via proxy card
    • Gateless, enclosed courtyards equipped with security cameras

Visitors

Yes, we allow access for families through a proxy card. We provide two cards per family. This card also allows us to track who accesses the community after hours, an added safety benefit. Residents who wish to have additional cards made available to other family members will be charged a fee for additional or replacement cards.

  • Yes, we do allow our residents to have overnight guests for a maximum of five consecutive days and ten days per calendar year. The Executive Director must be notified prior to the guest’s stay in writing, and residents and guests must abide by the community’s Guest Policy.
  • Sonata also maintains an apartment for overnight guests. Your guests are welcome to use the unit, space permitting, for a maximum of seven consecutive nights and fourteen days per year. Because of limited availability, we recommend that you reserve the unit as soon as you become aware of your guest’s plans. There is a nightly charge for use of the unit, and meals are available at an additional charge. Please speak with administration for details.

Miscellaneous

Yes. Physical, occupational and speech therapy services are available to residents, provided in the community and billed to Medicare or insurance. These services are provided once an order is obtained by the physician.

We offer daily programming that includes wellness activities, art, music, recreation and spirituality.

All residents must have an AHCA Form 1823 (health assessment) fully completed by their physician, ARNP or physician assistant. Additionally, the admission packet must be completed and resident agreement executed prior to move-in. Download the form here »

Our resident agreement, also known as the contract, is a month-to-month contract. Should a resident decide to move out, a 30-day written notice is required. Should a resident no longer be appropriate for continued residency, a 45-day notice will be given to the resident or responsible party.

Each apartment includes an expanded five-foot, roll-in shower. We do have a “Bathtique” in each memory care community. This spacious, warm and spa-like environment is equipped to shower or bathe residents if they need assistance from more than one caregiver, or simply to provide residents a jet bath with a spa-like experience.

Yes. We provide full-size, front-loading washers and dryers in all independent living apartments.

  • Yes, we do allow pets in assisted and independent living apartments on a case-by-case basis contingent upon prior approval from the Executive Director and an executed Pet Agreement. We do allow residents to house a dog less than 25 pounds, cats, birds, fish, small mammals, and turtles. Please reference the Pet Agreement for more information.
  • We apologize that no pets are allowed at our Serenades memory care communities. However, we do have pet therapy as a part of our programming.

Request a Visit

The best way to experience the Sonata lifestyle is to schedule a visit to a community near you. Simply fill out our contact form or call to get started.