Living Options Article

                                                        Available Care Options

Today there are many more care options and living arrangements than only a few years ago. That's the good news! The not-so-good news is that it can be very confusing for family members, especially if you have a crisis on your hands and you must make this major decision in a short period of time. Here are your options:

• Independent Living Housing are usually age restricted apartments for people age 55 years of age and older. People living here need no help with their daily routine and activities and are able to financially pay their rent. Because these apartments are for seniors they sometimes offer additional help to their residents for an additional fee. This might include meals; transportation for medical appointments and grocery shopping; housekeeping. Some complexes offer social activities for the residents. There are independent living housing that is subsidized by the government for low income seniors.
• Assisted Living is an option for people who need help with the tasks of daily living. These include: bathing, dressing, meals, taking medication and transportation to doctor appointments. There is usually 24 hour on call assistance using a pull cord in the resident?s bathroom and bedroom. Residents pay monthly rent and additional fees based on their personal assistance needs. There is centralized dining and planned social activities. Additional fees are charged for the beauty solon services, unscheduled transportation or transportation out of the prescribed service area, complex medication needs and newspaper subscription. Most states now license Assisted Living Facilities. Assisted Living check list
• Campus Living for Seniors is an option that is historically church or synagogue related. These campuses provide independent living, assisted living, nursing home care and dementia care all on one campus. Many seniors begin living independently and then move within the community as they require more care. Other seniors choose to begin living on campus when they need care. Some campuses have adult day care for their residents who need help during the day but want to go home in the evening to be with their spouse who is still independent. Some adult day care for physically frail and adult day care for early dementia allows people from the surrounding area to use the center.
• Continuing Care Retirement Communities are also called Life Care Communities. The community consists of independent living, assisted living and nursing home care all in the same building or on the same campus. These communities require a large entrance fee which is refunded after the death of the resident to the beneficiaries named in their will. There are additional monthly maintenance fees that are usually about the same amount of money as assisted living facilities in the same geographical area. These communities attract young seniors who want many leisure options with the reassurance that their care will be provided in the same community should they need it in the future. Continuing Care Retirement checklist
• Skilled Nursing Facilities have changed in recent years. Most people go to a skilled nursing facility because they have had a serious illness or accident and they no longer require hospital care. From the hospital they are discharged to a skilled nursing facility for physical therapy or other rehabilitative care or daily medical care preformed by nurses. These facilities offer 24 hour medical care and also help with bathing, dressing and mobility. Skilled Nursing Facility Checklist
• Adult Day Care is for people who need help Monday-Friday during the day because they probably can't stay home alone. They need help with medication, being provided with meals and snacks and enjoying the company of others instead of being isolated alone at home. Most participants live with their spouse who is still working or wants time off from care giving duties. Some Adult Day Care Programs serve only persons with Alzheimer's/dementia and are much less expensive than placing a person in an Alzheimer's facility.
• Home Care usually means hiring a caregiver to provide bathing, dressing, grooming, meal preparation and light housekeeping in the home. Home Care agencies usually have a 4 hour minimum service contract. They can provide the minimum of 4 hours up to 24/7 in home care. Some caregivers are not affiliated with an agency. If you hire a private duty caregiver it is up to you to conduct a credit check, criminal background check and to find another caregiver when they are ill or don?t show up for work. How to evaluate a home care agency
• Home Health Care should not be confused with Home Care. Home Health Care is medical care at home that has been prescribed by Mom or Dad's physician. It usually is time limited.
• Hospice Care is for people who no longer wish to continue medical care to save their lives. Initially, two physicians must certify that it is reasonably possible that the patient will die within six months. Usually the two physicians are the primary care physician and the hospice medical director. Palliative care (comfort care) can continue past the first six months if the patient is still alive. This care can be provided at home, in assisted living or a skilled nursing facility. Care includes physician, nursing, medical social work, chaplain, homemaker services, and physical support for the patient as well as the family members. Some hospices even provide music therapy for their patients. Hospice medical director have access to pain management medications that most doctors and hospitals do not. They are experts in pain control. See National Association of Hospice Care