Senior Care Options

Understanding the different senior care options is an important step on your journey to find the right setting for your loved one. As you read through this list and move forward in your search, keep in mind a good rule of thumb is “safety first.” Which option offers the most safety for your loved one?

Assisted Living

Assisted Living is a senior care option that can be free standing or part of a retirement or continuing care retirement community. Typically there is a choice of private apartment homes (studios, one-two bedrooms) with support services to match resident needs. Fees vary by the type and number of services such as activities of daily living (dressing and bathing) and medication management. Socialization can include a variety of activities, classes and events. Services are designed to help residents remain as independent as possible and in control of decisions about how they spend their day. We can help you find assisted living.

Care Homes

Care Homes go by many names including Adult Family Homes, Residential Care Homes or Personal Care Homes. Senior care is provided in private residential homes that have been adapted to accommodate up to six residents. Private or shared rooms are available. Staff provides basic care assistance with activities of daily living, personal care such as laundry, and meals are typically family-style. Socialization such as activities, events and outings vary by home. We can help you find care homes.

Memory Care

Memory Care is also referred to as Alzheimer’s Care or Dementia Care. Most commonly known as forgetfulness, dementia has numerous origins the most common of which is Alzheimer’s disease. Those with mild to moderate dementia can be cared for in some assisted living, adult family home, or continuing care retirement community settings. As the disease progresses, specialty care may be needed. Typically staff has been trained to care for and communicate with Alzheimer’s patients and activities are tailored to their needs. Walkways or garden areas are usually available for patients who need room to roam. Secured or locked areas may be found in some communities. The Alzheimer’s Association has excellent information including “10 Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease”. We can help you find memory care.

Continuing Care

Continuing Care is another name for Continuing Care Retirement Communities or CCRCs. These communities offer residents a choice of services and living options including independent living, assisted living, nursing home care and in some instances memory care all on the same campus. As residents’ needs change over time they can move from one setting to another without having to move away from the community. CCRCs are unique in that they provide housing and services for life. Service agreements, financial requirements and the definition of “life care” vary by community. The American Association of Housing and Services for the Aging has many resources on Continuing Care. We can help you find continuing care.

Nursing Homes

Nursing homes are also known as Skilled Nursing Facilities. The two most prominent senior care services provided in nursing homes are: Skilled Care and Long-Term Care. Skilled care includes nursing and rehabilitation therapy (physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy) for those who have had a hospital stay as a result of injury or illness. After a period of time the patient discharges home, to another community setting or transfers to the facility’s long-term care unit. Long-term care is medical and non-medical care for those who are unable to care for themselves usually due to chronic illness or disability. The American Health Care Association has a very useful tool for planning, preparing and paying for long-term care at www.longtermcareliving.com. We can help you find nursing homes.

Home Care

Home Care refers to non-medical senior care provided in the patient’s home. Home location can mean retirement or assisted living apartment. Services are rendered by non licensed personnel and include assistance with activities of daily living, homemaker services such as cleaning and laundry, transportation to appointments and meal preparation. Medicare does not cover these services.

Home Health Care

Home Health Care refers to medically related services provided by licensed health care professionals such as nurses and rehabilitation therapists in the patient’s home. Home location can mean retirement or assisted living apartment. Medicare does cover these services. Medicare offers details in their official publication “Medicare and Home Health Care”.

Written by senior care expert Peg Witham.