Nursing Home Care: What Are My Options? When the time comes to choose a nursing home or retirement care, the number of choices available can become overwhelming. From hospice to adult day care, each genre offers its own benefits and drawbacks. A retirement home should be chosen based on your own personal needs and budget. Below are brief explanations of several different types of nursing home care.
Independent Living - Minimal care. For those who are able to care for themselves, independent living offers an extra level of reassurance by having a care specialist visit you in your home on a regular basis. The caregiver simply checks in to make sure that everything is going smoothly.
Congregate Care - Similar to independent living, this genre involves a group of retired citizens living in the same community. Meals are served daily in a dining hall and amenities such as barber shops and transportation are provided.
Assisted Living - Patients live in an apartment-style community, where caregivers help with daily activities such as meals and laundry. This allows for comfortable living without an excess of restricting care.
Intermediate Care - For those who require more than basic care but are not in need of skilled nursing, intermediate care provides room and board as well as minimal medical services. This option is best for patients who have chronic conditions and are unable to live on their own.
Skilled Nursing - Individuals in need of skilled nursing can reside in traditional facilities with 24-hour service. Certified nursing professionals are always on duty to help patients who have serious illnesses and disabilities.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) or Life Care Communities (LCC) - Many styles of housing are available in these communities, from apartment-style to assisted living units. They are designed for individuals who wish to be able to stay in one place to receive every type of care they need.
Hospice Care - Terminally ill patients can reside in hospice care facilities, where professionals are employed to care for them and provide support to their families.
Adult Day Care - For retirees who live at home with a caregiver, their caregiver may occasionally require time off for rest or for work. Adult day care centers provide meals and services to seniors on an hour-to-hour basis while allowing them the benefits of a community setting as well.
Respite Care - Senior caregivers need relief from time to time, and respite care provides just that. These caregivers take care of seniors either at the patient’s home or in a different location, allowing their regular caregivers a temporary break.
Sources:
http://www.nursinghomerank.com/nursing-home-care/
http://www.infoline.org/InformationLibrary/Documents/Intermediate%20Care%20Facilities%20rj.asp
http://www.caring.com/local/continuing-care-retirement-communities
http://helpguide.org/elder/respite_care.htm
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