What Arbors Assisted Living Offers

Arbors Assisted Living is a chain of residential communities that provide housing, meals, and personal care support for older adults who need help with daily tasks but do not require skilled nursing. The company operates communities across multiple states, each typically housing 40 to 120 residents in a single building or campus. Residents live in private or semi-private rooms and have access to common areas, activities, and staff available during business hours and on call at night.

The services included in Arbors communities usually cover medication reminders, bathing and dressing information, meal preparation, housekeeping, and transportation to medical appointments. Some communities also offer memory care units for residents with dementia or Alzheimer's disease. The actual services, staffing levels, and amenities vary by location, so the experience at one Arbors community may differ from another.

Key Takeaways

  • Arbors communities provide housing and personal care but not skilled nursing or medical treatment, so residents must be able to live semi-independently or have family support for complex medical needs.
  • Monthly costs vary widely by location and the level of care needed, typically ranging from $3,000 to $6,000 or more, and most communities do not accept Medicare or Medicaid.
  • You can tour a specific Arbors community by contacting it directly, and staff can explain what services are included in the base fee and what costs extra.
  • Before moving, confirm that the community can meet the resident's current care needs and ask what happens if care needs increase over time.

How to Find and Contact an Arbors Community

Arbors communities are not all run by a single corporate office, so there is no single phone number or website that covers every location. Some are independently owned, while others are part of regional chains. The fastest way to find a specific Arbors community is to search online for "Arbors Assisted Living" plus your city or state, or to call your local Area Agency on Aging and ask whether they have contact information for Arbors locations nearby.

Once you identify a community, call the community directly to ask about current availability, tour the building, and request a pricing sheet. Many communities will mail or email a brochure and pricing information before you visit. During a tour, ask to see a resident room, the dining area, and the activity spaces, and request to speak with a staff member who can explain the daily schedule and what is included in the monthly fee.

Understanding Costs and What Is Included

Arbors communities charge a monthly fee that covers housing, meals, utilities, housekeeping, and basic personal care information. The base fee does not typically include specialized services such as wound care, catheter management, or medication administration by a nurse — those services may be available for an additional cost or may require referral to a home health agency. Some communities charge extra for services like transportation, laundry, or activities.

Monthly costs vary significantly by location and the level of care the resident needs. A community in a rural area may cost less than one in a city, and a room with more privacy or a better view may cost more than a standard room. Most Arbors communities do not accept Medicare or Medicaid, so residents or their families must pay out of pocket. Some communities may work with long-term care insurance or veteran benefits, so ask about payment options when you call.

What to Ask During a Tour or Phone Call

Before choosing an Arbors community, gather specific information about how it operates and whether it can meet the resident's needs. Ask about staffing — how many staff members are on duty during the day and night, and whether a nurse is present. Ask what happens if the resident's care needs increase: can the community provide more help, or will the resident need to move to a nursing home? Ask about the process for medication management and how often staff check on residents.

Also ask about activities, meal options, visiting hours, and policies around leaving the community for outings or medical appointments. Ask whether the community has a waiting list and, if so, how long it typically is. Request the names and phone numbers of current residents or families you can contact for references. Ask about the community's complaint process and whether there have been any violations or complaints filed with the state.

Checking a Community's Safety and Compliance Record

Each state regulates assisted living communities differently, and records are usually kept by the state health department or a similar agency. You can contact your state's health department and ask whether they have inspection reports or complaint records for a specific Arbors community. Some states post these records online; others require you to call or visit in person. The records will show whether the community has been cited for violations such as inadequate staffing, medication errors, or unsafe conditions.

You can also search the Nursing Home Compare website (run by Medicare) for some assisted living communities, though not all are listed there. Ask the community directly whether it has been cited for any violations and, if so, what steps it took to correct them. A community that has had violations is not necessarily unsafe — what matters is whether it addressed the problems promptly.

Paying for Assisted Living: Private Pay and Other Options

Most Arbors communities operate on a private-pay model, meaning residents or their families pay the full monthly cost out of pocket. This can be paid from savings, retirement income, or long-term care insurance. Some residents use a combination of sources: for example, Social Security and a pension to cover part of the cost, and savings or family help for the rest.

A few Arbors communities may accept Medicaid waiver programs in certain states, which can help cover some or all of the cost for low-income residents. Veterans may be able to use VA Aid and Attendance benefits to help pay for assisted living. Long-term care insurance policies sometimes cover assisted living, though the benefit amount and rules vary by policy. When you contact a community, ask directly about payment options and whether they work with any insurance programs or government benefits.

Moving In: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Once you have chosen an Arbors community and signed a residency agreement, the community will ask for information about the resident's medical history, current medications, emergency contacts, and any special needs or preferences. You will likely need to provide proof of a recent physical exam and vaccination records. The community may also ask about the resident's diet, sleep schedule, and daily routines so staff can adjust to the resident's habits.

Before moving day, work with the community to decide what furniture and personal items the resident can bring — most communities have size limits for rooms. Bring copies of important documents such as insurance cards, legal documents, and a list of current medications and dosages. Plan to spend the first few days helping the resident settle in and meeting staff members. Ask the community about the process for reporting concerns or requesting changes to the care plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Arbors Assisted Living accept Medicare or Medicaid?

Most Arbors communities do not accept Medicare or Medicaid as payment. However, some communities in certain states may accept Medicaid waiver programs for low-income residents, and a few may accept Medicare for short-term rehabilitation stays. Call the specific community you are interested in to ask about payment options.

What is the difference between Arbors Assisted Living and a nursing home?

Assisted living communities like Arbors provide housing and help with daily tasks such as bathing and dressing, but do not have nurses on staff or provide medical treatment. Nursing homes have licensed nurses and can provide wound care, medication administration, and other skilled nursing services. If a resident's health declines and requires skilled nursing care, they may need to move to a nursing home.

Can I visit my family member anytime, or are there visiting hours?

Visiting policies vary by community. Most Arbors communities allow family visits during daytime hours and some allow evening visits, but a few may have restricted hours. Ask about the community's visiting policy when you tour or call, and confirm whether visitors can join residents for meals or activities.

What happens if my family member's care needs increase while they live at Arbors?

This depends on the community and the type of care needed. Some communities can provide additional personal care information for an extra fee. Others cannot meet higher care needs and will ask the resident to move. Before moving in, ask the community what happens if care needs increase and whether they offer a transition plan to help find a new placement if needed.

How do I know if an Arbors community is safe and well-run?

Visit the community in person, tour the building, and speak with current residents or families if possible. Contact your state health department to ask whether the community has inspection reports or complaint records. Ask the community directly about staffing levels, staff training, and whether it has had any violations. Trust your instincts — if something feels off during a tour, keep looking.