Choosing an Adult Family Home begins with understanding what a person needs — not only medically, but physically, cognitively, emotionally, and in the routines of everyday life. As a Registered Nurse and experienced Adult Family Home provider, Tami Serpa, RN, provides comprehensive pre-admission nursing assessments — whether you're considering one of our Neighbor Care Homes or have already selected another home.
A diagnosis tells us something about a person's health. It cannot tell us who they are.
Every person we meet brings with them a lifetime of experiences — the people they have loved, families they have raised, careers they have built, traditions they cherish, challenges they have overcome, and memories that continue to shape who they are.
We know the more we begin to understand someone, the more we begin to love them. That is why learning a person's story is an essential part of our assessment process. We want to know who someone was before illness, aging, or memory loss changed what others saw first — and who they continue to be today.
Our elders have so much to teach us. When we take the time to know one another, care becomes more than a service. It becomes a relationship built on dignity, respect, and genuine human connection.
Knowing someone's story also changes the practical way we care. A familiar song can bring comfort. A lifelong routine begins to make sense. A treasured photograph can spark conversation and unlock memories. A favorite movie can bring reassurance during an anxious evening.
Understanding the life behind the diagnosis helps us provide care that is not only clinically appropriate, but deeply personal. A caregiver begins to see not simply a person who needs assistance, but a whole human being whose life has meaning, history, and something still to contribute.
We may come into one another's lives as residents, families, caregivers, and neighbors — but over time, we often find ourselves in each other's care.
A nursing assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of a person's current health, functional abilities, cognitive and emotional needs, medical history, daily routines, and the assistance they require throughout the day and night. Rather than focusing solely on medical diagnoses, it looks at how a person is actually functioning in everyday life and the level of support needed to help them live safely, comfortably, and with dignity.
A thorough assessment helps families, healthcare providers, and prospective Adult Family Homes begin with the same understanding of a person's needs — clarifying the level of assistance required and confirming a home has the staffing, training, environment, and resources necessary to safely provide care.
The assessment may include evaluation of:
The prospective resident or someone who knows them well completes our secure questionnaire, sharing health history, medications, routines, preferences, and care needs. Families can upload medication lists, medical records, discharge paperwork, POLST, or Power of Attorney documents.
Tami meets with the prospective resident, reviews available records and medications, speaks with the family or representative, and personally evaluates current abilities and care needs — wherever the resident currently is.
Information from the resident, family, medical records, and current care team is combined into a comprehensive nursing assessment identifying needs, strengths, risks, preferences, and the assistance required for safe daily care.
Moving into a Neighbor Care Home? The assessment becomes the foundation of your care plan. Chosen another home? We share the completed assessment with them to help prepare for a successful admission.
For individuals preparing for private-pay admission to another Adult Family Home. Tami's completed assessment can be shared with that home to help determine fit and prepare for a smooth admission.
Your initial nursing assessment is included as part of our admission process. There's no separate $500 assessment fee for residents moving into one of our homes.
We're happy to talk it through first — no pressure, just honest answers about what fits your family's situation.
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