FAQs

How will I meet people?

Our welcome committee is resident-driven and designed to ease your transition into the Kimball Farms family. We have a wide variety of organizations and groups, creating plenty of opportunities for exploring interests and making new friends. Many of our residents like to meet weekday mornings in the Pinnacle Store for coffee. At lunch or dinner ask our hostess to seat you with potential new friends. We don’t have assigned seats, so you can dine alone, dine with new neighbors, or even bring old friends. And Friendly Fridays are a great time to relax in our lounge and connect with other residents.

How is the food?

When we say that Kimball Farms takes senior living to a whole new level, we are definitely including our approach to dining. Our executive chef and his dining team take personal pride in creating menus that keep mealtime interesting, with specialized dietary plans to accommodate restriction or limitations. We welcome guests to join us for a meal in our elegant dining room or at our Pleasant Pheasant Pub and judge for themselves. Please contact our Marketing Department to learn more.

My mother needs assisted living. Can she move to Kimball Farms?

While PineHill Assisted Living offers priority access to our Life Care independent living residents, we do accept residents directly into our traditional assisted living and Life Enrichment Memory Care program neighborhoods. We are an all-inclusive assisted living community, and there is no entrance fee or community fee for those entering directly into PineHill Assisted Living.

Can I keep my same doctor? How can I get to appointments?

Yes, you can continue to see your own physician and other medical professionals located within Berkshire County. Our staff can arrange local transportation to appointments within our service area and, if necessary, go with you.

Can I have my own health aide?

If you choose or if care needs exceed covered services, you may have your own health aide at your own expense.

Can I bring my pet?

We have a variety of pets, including cats, dogs, and birds living at Kimball Farms. Residents are required to be able to care for their pet including walking, feeding, and providing proper veterinary care and vaccinations.

Why should I choose a not-for-profit community?

As a not-for-profit community, our focus is on reinvesting in our people, our programs, our services, and our facilities to achieve exceptional outcomes for our residents.

What is a CCRC?

A CCRC is a Continuing Care Retirement Community, offering a continuum of senior housing and long-term healthcare options. Kimball Farms offers Life Care independent living, traditional assisted living, and assisted living memory care on our main campus, with skilled nursing care available around the corner at Kimball Farms Nursing Care Center. Life Care independent living residents have priority admission to PineHill Assisted Living and Kimball Farms Nursing Care Center.

Why should I choose a continuing care retirement community like Kimball Farms?

There’s a unique level of confidence knowing that you’re part of a connected, caring community where you can receive the appropriate care that you may need as you age. Families can trust that their loved ones will receive the same high quality attention and support across the continuum of care.

What is Life Care?

Life Care combines housing with long-term care planning. Life Care residents must be eligible for independent living when they move to Kimball Farms. There is an entrance fee for Life Care, and it is 90 percent refundable. A portion of the entrance fee and the monthly service fees may be eligible for tax deductions. Learn more about Life Care on our What is Life Care page.

Are there age restrictions for Life Care?

Our primary consideration for Life Care residents is they must be able to live independently when they move in. Life Care is ideal for younger seniors who cherish their independence, seek an active lifestyle, and want to financially plan for their future healthcare needs. We often hear that Life Care residents wish they had made the move sooner to have more years to enjoy the lifestyle that our independent living community can offer.

Can I use my long term care insurance for Life Care?

The simple answer is yes. Each long term care insurance policy is unique. Although not applicable for Independent Living, long term care insurance can be applied when a resident moves through the Continuum of Care including assisted living, memory care or skilled nursing.

How is Life Care different from other Continuing Care Retirement Communities and how is that different from Independent Living?

Life Care or Life Plan communities, including Kimball Farms, also charge a monthly fee and entrance fee, and offer a full continuum of care. In a Life Care community, however, the monthly fee will remain relatively the same when/if a resident needs additional levels of care.

Independent Living communities are senior-friendly living complexes and offer no care, assisted living, or oversight for a monthly fee, based on unit size or location. A Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC), includes assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing as part of their continuum. Traditional CCRCs have an entrance fee and a monthly fee, based on the size of the unit and changes in levels of care will increase monthly costs as care needs increase. 

I have assistance in my home now, if I move into Life Care will Kimball Farms provide those services?

If a resident requires assistance with activities of daily living, or ADLs, including dressing, bathing, grooming, meal preparation, medication reminders, or incontinence, those services are provided in PineHill Assisted Living. To be accepted into the Kimball Farms Life Care program, residents must be independent with ADLs upon move-in.

How does one qualify for Life Care?

Life Care is part of long term care planning, so there are both financial and health care considerations. In addition to an in-depth analysis of your finances to ensure affordability, Kimball Farms requires a copy of your physician’s notes from a recent physical exam. Additionally, a member of our team will perform a cognitive assessment prior to acceptance to our Life Care program.

Is there an entrance fee or community fee for Assisted Living or Memory Care?

PineHill Assisted Living offers all-inclusive monthly rates for traditional assisted living and memory care assisted living. There is no entrance fee, community fee, or contract required for residents entering directly into PineHill Assisted Living. Our Life Care independent living residents who need a higher level of assistance can transition into PineHill and continue to pay the same monthly service fee they were paying previously (adjusted annually).

Is there a waitlist? How long is it and how do I join it?

To join the waitlist, an application must be completed indicating which style of apartment one is interested in (two choices are allowed) and when the applicant would like to be contacted about availability. There is a fee to join the waitlist which is, in large part, applied to the final amount due at the time of move in or refunded if they change their mind and decide not to move to Kimball Farms.

Is there an entrance fee or community fee for PineHill Assisted Living?

If moving directly into PineHill Assisted Living from their home or other community setting, there is no entrance fee or community fee. The all-inclusive monthly fee will not carry over into other levels of Kimball Farms care, such as Memory Care or Skilled Nursing, but residents will be offered preferred access to those levels of care if and when the need arises.

What does all-inclusive mean?

For our PineHill Assisted Living and Life Enrichment Memory Care residents, no matter how much attention is needed, one all-inclusive monthly fee takes care of all covered services, housing, and three daily meals. Additional costs include telephone, cable, guest meals, and any specialty services.

What is the difference between Assisted Living and Independent Living?

Independent living at Kimball Farms is only offered with our Life Care program where we welcome new residents who require no assistance with activities of daily living, and are looking for a lifestyle change. PineHill Assisted Living is ideal for people who want all of the benefits of retirement, worry-free living but with support. PineHill has all-inclusive monthly pricing and there is no entrance fee. The team is here to help with medication reminders, bathing, dressing or grooming. Three meals a day, housekeeping and full laundry services are provided as well as a robust activity schedule to keep residents as busy as they choose. 

Does PineHill Assisted Living accept Medicare?

PineHill Assisted Living is a private pay community. Medicare does not cover any assisted living environment, but some people have veteran benefits or long-term care insurance which will provide partial reimbursement to residents for services that are provided at PineHill Assisted Living.

Is there a nurse on-site at PineHill Assisted Living?

PineHill Assisted Living has a community nurse available from 8:00 am – 4:00 pm daily, who is available as a medical resource. She may assist with making physician appointments, ordering prescriptions, checking vital signs, weight, temperature, and more. The community nurse is not allowed to dispense or prescribe treatments or medications.

Do the assisted living apartments come furnished?

Residents of PineHill Assisted Living provide all of their own furnishings. When residents move in, they feel more comfortable with having their belongings, photos, furnishings, home décor, and electronics.

What is the Life Enrichment Program (LEP)?

The Life Enrichment Program is part of our assisted living community and specifically designed for residents living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. It is built on the philosophy of habilitation, which focuses on the skills that remain. Our program creates a safe environment where caregivers live inside each resident’s world. We provide as much assistance as our residents need for one all-inclusive monthly fee.

How do I know if my loved one medically qualifies for LEP?

To qualify for the LEP, residents must still be able to be out of bed for a period of time, self-ambulate with the assistance of no more than one person, feed themselves – even if it’s mainly finger foods, and not present with any harmful behaviors to themselves or others.

What kind of activities do the residents in LEP participate in?

The key to life enrichment is offering the best in every day. We find that familiar everyday activities make a great foundation. We focus on regular routines and build programming around resident interest/skill levels from interactive games to music, to walks or a picnic lunch. We paint, we include pet therapy, tai-chi, and billiards. Activities begin when residents wake and continue through into the evening – and we always encourage their engagement.

Can families furnish a resident’s room in the life enrichment program?

Yes, it’s very important. Residents bring their furnishings and accessories to maintain a connection with the life they have led.

Why is the Life Enrichment Program special?

Our residents are thriving. They are provided with enough stimulation to maintain the abilities they have. We place no expectations on them, but encourage them to be the best person they can be. We celebrate the good days, we bolster self-esteem, and we show them the utmost dignity and respect.