Holbrook BlogWe know you probably have a lot of questions. These may help. If you still have questions, please contact us!
Is Holbrook a non-profit?
Yes, Holbrook is part of Piper Shores, Maine’s first and only nonprofit lifecare community. It is our mission to promote our residents’ long-term well-being and health – not to make profits for our shareholders.
What’s Holbrook’s philosophy of care?
At Holbrook, we take what we call a PersonFirst® approach to care. Our overriding belief is that every resident is a unique person, has a story to tell, and plays a role in guiding their own care. We ask our residents what they want and let the answer guide us in their care.
What are your caregivers like?
Our caregivers are kind and compassionate, energetic and attentive. The majority of our caregivers are CNAs and take care of the same resident on a consistent basis. As a result, our caregivers know the ins and outs, likes and dislikes of each of our residents.
Do residents receive therapy services?
Yes, our Health Center offers a variety of therapy services for our residents.
How do I know how much care my loved one needs?
PBS.org and the AARP developed the following Activities of Daily Living (ADL) worksheet as a tool to help families determine which ADLs and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) their loved ones require assistance with as well as how much assistance is needed. To complete the checklist, enter the number of hours per week your loved one requires assistance to perform the activities in the left hand column.
What’s Holbrook’s staff-to-resident ratio?
We are proud that Holbrook staffing rations exceed or meet state requirements.
Is there a doctor onsite? How often?
Yes, we have a doctor and nurse practitioner each of whom are at Holbrook twice a week for a total of four days of onsite coverage. Both are part of a call system as well, so there is always coverage available. In addition, we will bring residents to outside doctors should the need arise.
Do Holbrook residents engage in Piper Shores’ independent living events and facilities?
Absolutely, in fact we encourage it! There is no segregation of residents at the Holbrook and Piper Shores facilities. We are all one campus.
Does Holbrook Assisted Living offer direct admission?
Yes! While Piper Shores’ lifecare residents do receive priority access to Holbrook Assisted Living, our newly expanded Assisted Living and Memory Care residence allows Holbrook admission for non-Piper Shores residents.
Do you offer housekeeping?
Yes, housekeeping and laundry services are provided for all our residents.
What’s your dining program?
Holbrook residents can eat in their rooms, at their area dining room, or the main dining room, which is restaurant style. We also have a less formal, cozy café serving casual fare during breakfast and lunch. A private dining room is also available for family or other gatherings.
Do you offer transportation?
We offer transportation, including wheelchair transport, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM. We will take you where you want to go! In addition, we schedule transportation that may fall outside this timeframe.
What services and amenities do you offer?
Holbrook offers a wide-range of amenities through the Piper Shores community, including hair salon/barber shop, indoor pool/hot tub, fitness center, spa, woodworking shop, onsite banking, convenience store, music and recreation rooms, and putting green. For the complete list, visit our Services & Amenities page.
Do you offer activities?
Holbrook’s activity director and staff offer more activities than you can do in a day! From concerts with professional musicians and trips to art museums to lectures and weekly outings, there is a whole host of events from which to choose. For a more complete list, visit our Activities page.
What are the living options at Holbrook?
We offer:
- Assisted Living
- Memory Care
- Long-Term Nursing Home Care
- Short-Term Rehabilitation
- Respite Care
- Independent Living at Piper Shores
No matter which living option you choose, the only difference is where you sleep.
What should I look for in an Assisted Living Residence?
When you visit an assisted living residence, you’ll want to look for the following:
Staff
- How friendly is the staff?
- Do they treat the residents with dignity, respect, and warmth?
- Do the staff seem rushed and stressed?
Residents
- Do the residents appear happy?
- Do they interact with one another?
- Do they seem like people you’d enjoy getting to know?
- How do residents contact staff in an emergency?
- Are they clean, well-groomed, and dressed appropriately?
Residence
- Do the different areas of the residence seem clean and fresh?
- Is the residence safe and secure?
- Are the bathrooms accessible and have grab bars in convenient locations?
- How is the food?
- What are the outdoor areas like?
Accreditation
- What sort of accreditations does the residence have?
- What is involved in obtaining that accreditation?
- How do they maintain their accreditation standards?
It is also helpful to talk to residents and their families for their honest opinions about the community. Finally, trust your instincts – you’ll know when it’s the right fit.
