Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where are your communities located?

2. What is an independent living community, and how is it different than assisted living?

3. What is an age-restricted senior community, and how is it different than independent living?

4. Do all Ray Stone Senior Communities offer meals?

5. What are the basic services provided at Ray Stone Senior Communities?

6. What kinds of social activities are offered?

7. What safety services are provided at Ray Stone Senior Communities?

8. Do Ray Stone Senior Communities offer medical or other support services?

9. How large are the apartment homes you offer?

10. Do you have internet access at your Senior communities?

11. Do your apartments have kitchens?

12. Do new residents pay an entrance fee?

13. Are pets welcome at Ray Stone Senior Communities?

14. Do you have any special price promotions that I should know about?

15. Do you allow smoking in your communities?

16. Do I have to have a medical assessment before I move in?

17. Who owns Ray Stone Senior Communities?

18. Can veterans who live at a Ray Stone Senior Community qualify for the V.A. Aid and Attendance Allowance?

19. How do I know if I will enjoy living in a Ray Stone Senior Community?

20. Once I move in, my son and his wife may want to come visit me. Is there anywhere close by where they could stay?

21. I am on a budget. What extra charges might I need to plan for, that are not included in the monthly rent?

1. Where are your communities located?

Ray Stone Senior Communities offer attractive surroundings, loyal staff, go-out-of-our-way services, and -- best of all -- warm, involved neighbors in Sacramento, Carmichael, Roseville, Grass Valley and Atwater/Merced.

2. What is an independent living community, and how is it different than assisted living?

Independent living communities, also called senior living and retirement living communities, provide private apartments with emergency pull cords and on-site staff 24 hours each day. Generally, these communities have interior hallways, fire sprinklers and elevators. Additionally, independent living includes non-medical services such as prepared daily meals, housekeeping, transportation, activities and utilities, in the monthly rent.

Assisted living communities, sometimes known as Residential Care Facilities, or Board and Care Facilities, are licensed health care facilities that serve seniors who need assistance with daily activities, such as medication management, dressing, toileting and eating, but not skilled nursing care. Fees vary according to the level of care that an individual needs, according to a clinical assessment. Because professional care is available, typically assisted living communities are more expensive than independent living. Some assisted living communities also offer Memory Care or Alzheimer’s/Dementia units.

3. What is an age-restricted senior community, and how is it different than independent living?

Age-restricted communities (usually 55+) are housing developments or apartments that do not provide meals or other support services, but often offer social activities and gathering areas such as clubhouses. We proudly operate Castle Vista for those 55+ in Atwater, CA.

4. Do all Ray Stone Senior Communities offer meals?

We pride ourselves on our dining experience! All of our communities provide meals with the exception of Castle Vista, which is an age-restricted community of duplexes. Most of our communities provide two delicious meals daily, while Park Place, our affordable senior housing community, provides one meal per day. Hilltop Commons, located in Grass Valley, provides three meals daily.

5. What are the basic services provided at Ray Stone Senior Communities?

Services are what help our residents "worry less, smile more!" Most of our communities offer delicious meals, fun excursions , multiple on-site activities, housekeeping, barber/salon services, transportation, computer rooms and wellness programs. Because services vary by community, it’s important to look at the detailed information about each community on our website, or talk to our on-site Community Administrators.

6. What kinds of social activities are offered?

We don’t take a cookie-cutter approach to senior living, so activities vary according to the interests of our residents in each community. The activities they help plan, along with our activity directors, are as varied as the personalities of our residents! Opportunities for social engagement abound, and include hosted cocktail parties, live music and entertainment, Wii-play tournaments, clubs, table and card games, bingo and billiards.

7. What safety services are provided at Ray Stone Senior Communities?

All of our independent living apartments offer pull-cord systems in the bathroom and bedroom, so that assistance can be summoned, 24 hours a day. Our bathrooms also include guardrails, and some of our communities have easy-step-in showers that help prevent falls. Castle Vista is an age-restricted duplex community that does not offer a pull-cord system.

8. Do Ray Stone Senior Communities offer medical or other support services?

As independent living communities, we do not provide medical care, but some of our residents use independently-contracted care providers to enable them to remain independent and avoid the additional costs of assisted living when they only need a little help. Our "Commons" communities (those with "Commons" in their name) offer a very special program called P.S.S.^SM – Personalized Service with a Smile. The goal of the P.S.S.^SM program is to help with whatever you need, even if you’ve never heard of an independent living community offering these thoughtful kinds of assistance. Complimentary services range from "handy man" type assistance, to help with home electronics and technology, and personal assistance like walking your pet or buying groceries. Through this program, you can also learn about independently contracted providers, like those that can help with medication management (these fees are separate from our managed services, and as such they are paid directly to the independently contracted care provider).

9. How large are the apartment homes you offer?

Floor plans and sizes vary by community, but across our communities we range from the cozy to the spacious, including studio, one- and two-bedroom options in many of our independent living communities. We offer three- and four-bedroom duplexes at our Castle Vista age-restricted community.

10. Do you have internet access at your Senior communities?

Yes, we have complimentary WiFi internet access at all of our "Commons" communities (where "Commons" is in their name) in select areas.

11. Do your apartments have kitchens?

Most of our independent living communities have full kitchens in the apartment homes, with the exception of Hilltop Commons, which has tea kitchens, and Park Place, our affordable senior housing community, which has a refrigerator only. However, we find that most of our residents prefer to enjoy the delicious cuisine of our dining rooms* rather than cook!

* Castle Vista is an age-restricted community and does not provide meals.

12. Do new residents pay an entrance fee?

Our communities charge either a deposit or a non-refundable administration fee at move-in. The deposit or fee varies by community.

13. Are pets welcome at Ray Stone Senior Communities?

We welcome small pets at most communities, although there will be a small charge for extra wear and tear (we know pets try to be good, but may have an occasional accident).

14. Do you have any special price promotions that I should know about?

It’s always worth asking! From time to time we do offer special promotional programs. For example, recognizing that many people have a hard time selling or renting their home, some of our communities offer a special move-in program.

15. Do you allow smoking in your communities?

We do not allow smoking inside any of our "Commons" communities (those with "Commons" in their name).

16. Do I have to have a medical assessment before I move in?

Your physician is the best judge of what living situation will be the most safe and comfortable for you; however, we do provide an initial assessment to ensure independent living is the right fit for you.

17. Who owns Ray Stone Senior Communities?

Ray Stone Seniors is a division of Ray Stone Incorporated, a Sacramento-based, family-owned business that has been an active member of our Northern California communities for 40 years. Ray Stone Incorporated manages all Ray Stone Senior Communities and has ownership interest in most of the communities.

18. Can veterans who live at a Ray Stone Senior Community qualify for the V.A. Aid and Attendance Allowance?

The Veteran’s Administration has a program that assists qualified veterans and their surviving spouses with obtaining long-term care outside of the V.A. residential system. It can be used as a supplement for some of the costs of residential care. To find out whether you might qualify, please contact us.

19. How do I know if I will enjoy living in a Ray Stone Senior Community?

All of our "Commons" communities* have guest suites. If you are interested in getting a real feel for one of our "Commons" communities, we invite you to spend a two night stay with us without charge (reservations required). Join in the fun activities, meet new friends and enjoy our delicious meals. It’s on us!

20. Once I move in, my son and his wife may want to come visit me. Is there anywhere close by where they could stay?

Yes. We have a beautiful guest suite located within each of our "Commons" communities*. Your guests are welcome to stay in our guest suite for up to two nights (which includes one meal/person/night) for a slight charge (reservations required).

21. I am on a budget. What extra charges might I need to plan for, that are not included in the monthly rent?

At our "Commons" communities* we include a multitude of non-medical services with your monthly rent (daily meals, activities, housekeeping, transportation, P.S.S.^SM services, utilities, guest meals¹, and tray service²). Additional expenses for your apartment would be telephone and cable, if desired. Additional community charges could be: salon/beauty services³; care provider services³; some excursions; excess guest meals¹; and excess tray service².

* Those communities with "Commons" in their name.
¹ There is a slight charge for guest meals in excess of two per month.
² There is a slight charge for tray services in excess of 3 times per month (unless extended tray
service is due to illness or injury, in which case, there is no excess charge).
³ Independently contracted provider