Health Care Definitions
WHAT IS ASSISTED LIVING?
Assisted living facilities are for people needing assistance with the basic Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) but wishing to live as independently as possible and for as long as possible. Assisted living exists to bridge the gap between independent living and nursing homes. Residents in assisted living centers are not able to live by themselves but do not require constant care either. Assisted living facilities offer help with ADLs such as eating, bathing, dressing, laundry, housekeeping, and assistance with medications. Man
y facilities also have centers for medical care; however, the care offered may not be as intensive or available to residents as the care offered at a nursing home. Assisted living is not an alternative to a nursing home, but an intermediate level of long-term care that is appropriate for many seniors.
Most assisted living facilities create a service plan for each individual resident upon admission. The service plan details the personalized services required by the resident and guaranteed by the facility. The plan is updated regularly to assure that the resident receives the appropriate care as his or her conditions change.
The terms used for assisted living facilities differ across the country. Other common terms for these facilities include:
· Residential care
· Personal care
· Adult congregate living care
· Board and care
· Domiciliary care
· Adult living facilities
· Supported care
· Enhanced care
· Community based retirement facilities
· Adult foster care
· Adult homes
· Sheltered housing
· Retirement residences
Assisted living is the generic term used across the country. In order to obtain FHA mortgage insurance, three meals a day must be provided and included in the monthly rent and there can be no equity entrance fee, buy in or equity purchase. There can be evaluation fees, security deposits and other appropriate fees as approved.
HOW DOES ASSISTED AN ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY DIFFER FROM A NURSING HOME?
Nursing homes are designed to care for very frail people that are not able to care for themselves and have numerous health care requirements. Assisted living facilities are designed to assist elderly persons who are able to care for themselves except for a few activities. Assisted living facilities are often deemed necessary when the person in question needs help preparing meals, bathing, dressing, performing household chores, is sometimes confused, or is experiencing memory problems.
WHAT ARE CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES?
Assisted living facilities are often connected with independent living residences and nursing homes. The combination is known as a continuing care retirement community. The resident can take advantage of the full range of services available and the ease of transfer to a different type of facility as his or her condition and needs change without needing to look for a new facility, relocate, or adapt to a new setting. For example, the resident may begin in the independent living residences, move to assisted living as he or she needs help with activities of daily living, and eventually move to the nursing home as ongoing care becomes necessary.
The three different contracts available to people wishing to become a member of a continuing care community are extensive, modified, and fee-for-service. All three cover shelter, amenities, residential services, and any short-term and emergency care. The contracts differ in the amounts of entrance fees and monthly fees.
In addition to the costs mentioned above, an extensive contract also covers unlimited long-term nursing care with no corresponding increase in monthly payments. This is the most expensive contract but may prove to be the most cost-effective in the long run. The modified contract covers a specific amount of long-term nursing care in the monthly payments. Once the specified amount is used, the resident must pay for any additional nursing care. Residents under the fee-for-service contract must pay for long-term care at daily nursing care rates. This is the least expensive plan because all future long-term nursing costs must be paid for separately from the contract.
Consult your financial planner to help you determine which plan is best for you.
WHAT IS INDEPENDENT LIVING?
Independent living is for people who want to and are able to live independently but do not want to maintain a home. Many people prefer to live in a community with others of the same age and with similar interests. An independent retirement community allows for a great deal of social activities and trips. Many independent living facilities also offer prepared meals and provide a wide range of amenities.
What is a Nursing Home?
A nursing home is an entity that provides skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services to people with illnesses, injuries or functional disabilities. Most facilities serve the elderly. However, some facilities provide services to younger individuals with special needs such as the developmentally disabled, mentally ill, and those requiring drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Nursing homes are generally stand alone facilities, but some are operated within a hospital or retirement community.
NURSING HOME SERVICES
The level of care provided by nursing homes has increased significantly over the past decade. Many homes now provide much of the nursing care that was previously provided in a hospital setting. As a result, most nursing homes now focus their attention on rehabilitation, so that their clients can return to their own homes as soon as possible. Some of the services a nursing home may provide include:
Therapies (Inpatient and Some Outpatient)
Physical therapy
Occupational therapy
Speech therapy
Respiratory therapy
Pharmacy Services
Equipment Rental
Specialty Care
Alzheimer’s treatment
Cancer
Cardiovascular disease
Developmentally disabled
Dementia
Head trauma
Hematologic conditions
Mental disease
Neurological diseases
Neuromuscular diseases
Orthopedic rehabilitation
Pain therapy
Pulmonary disease
Para/quadriplegic impairments
Stroke recovery
Trauma
Wound care
Special Services
Home health care
Adult day care
Respite care
OTHER SENIOR CARE OPTIONS
Maybe a nursing home is not the best solution at this time. Fortunately, the range of senior care options continues to expand to better meet the care and financial needs of individuals. Some of the alternatives that may be available include independent living, congregate care, assisted living and home health care. Nursing Home INFO is currently expanding its databases to provide similar search tools for the entire continuum of senior care.
Independent Living
Independent living is for people who can take care of themselves and includes residing in one’s own home or apartment, a retirement community, or independent living apartments.
Congregate Care
Congregate care is similar to independent living, but features a community environment, with one or more meals per day prepared and served in a community dining room. Many other services and amenities may be provided such as transportation, pools, a convenience store, bank, barber/beauty shop, resident laundry, housekeeping, and security.
Assisted Living (See also Assisted Living INFO)
Assisted living provides apartment-style accommodations where services focus on providing assistance with the necessities of daily living. These facilities are designed to bridge the gap between independent living and nursing home care, and provide a higher level of services for their residents including meals, housekeeping, medication assistance, laundry, and regular checks-ins.Some of the necessities of daily living are:
1. help with housekeeping
2. help with dressing
3. help with meal preparation
4. help with transportation
5. help with bathing
6. and several others.
Intermediate Care
Intermediate care is nursing home care for residents needing assistance with activities of daily living, but without significant nursing requirements.
Skilled Nursing
Skilled nursing facilities are traditional nursing facilities that provide 24-hour medical nursing care for people with serious illnesses or disabilities. These facilities are state-licensed and care is provided by registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nurse aids.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) or Life Care Communities (LCC)
(See also Assisted Living INFO)
These communities are planned and operated to provide a continuum of care from independent living through skilled nursing. The facilities allow individuals to live within the same community as their needs progress through the spectrum of care.
Sub-acute Care
Sub-acute care is intensive nursing care for patients recovering from surgery or illness patients receive this care in a nursing home setting.
Hospice Care
Hospice care is a combination of facility-based and home care provided to benefit terminally ill patients and support their families.
Hospitals
In addition to traditional services, many hospitals offer skilled or sub-acute nursing services either in their facility or on their campus.
Respite Care
Respite care is provided on a temporary basis to allow a primary care provider or family member relief for a few hours or days.
Adult Day Care
Adult day care programs provide meals and care services in a community setting during the day while a caregiver needs time off or must work.
Out-patient Therapy
Many facilities offer the same therapies provided in a nursing home on an out-patient basis. For those choosing a home-based option, out-patient therapy may be a necessary professional service.
Home Health Care
Home health care is provided in an individual’s home by outside providers and aims to keep the individual functioning at the highest possible level. Services range from basic assistance with household chores to skilled nursing services.
For more info email us at info@trustlender.com or call 800-536-3371 (800-LENDER 1).