Time marches on and so do we. Before we know it, we are older and so
are our parents or loved ones. Caring for them and being sure their
needs are met become a prime concern especially when they begin to not
be able to care for themselves as they used to. This dilemma touches
most every family. The thing to avoid is to remain under a veil of
ignorance by not understanding your options and waiting until the last
minute to make an abrupt and often uniformed decision. Care for the
elderly is of utmost importance. This will be addressed in a comparison
between adult day care, assisted living, and nursing home care.
Adult day care has the shortest care periods and usually lasts up to 8
hours a day and 5 days a week. People with Alzheimer’s, the feeble, the
physically handicapped, those infected with HIV/AIDS, people with
declining brain function and the hearing and visually impaired are
included in this type of care. It serves as respite for busy caregivers
and offers social and recreational activities, meals, therapy, health
and social services. Usually there is an assessment made of the needs of
each person before they enter the program. It is also important to find
out how physically able they are because adult day care does provide
rehabilitative services and personal care. One of its greatest
advantages is that it helps people remain independent and be able to
live with loved ones as long as they can plus it gives caregivers the
break they often need.
Funding can come through Medicaid if the person qualifies, need-based
scholarships, some medical insurance, long-term care insurance or tax
credits for dependent care. Medicare doesn’t cover adult day care.
Usually centers are non-profit (80% of them) and charge anywhere from
$25-$75 a day. This will vary according to location. Transportation is
also provided. There are full-time nursing services and these places are
licensed by the state.
The next step up in care, if the elderly are not living with friends or
family, is assisted living. It is for seniors who are somewhat
independent and who need more care than a retirement community has
available. The focus is on allowing for individual residents’
independence, need for privacy, choice, and safety. The services offered
are personal (bathing, dressing, transferring, toileting, and eating),
health care (which also involves management of medications), social and
physical activities, 24-hour supervision, education, laundry, linen,
housekeeping, unit maintenance, shopping, meal preparation, money
management and transportation. A person can occupy a furnished or
unfurnished studio or 1-bedroom unit with a bathroom. Some places have a
shared bathroom. Also some units may have kitchenettes or even a full
kitchen.
A potential resident is assessed according to physical and cognitive
abilities, mental awareness, medical history (including medications
being taken) and some personal history to find out if assisted living is
a good option. Family members are encouraged to continue being a part of
the resident’s life and are welcome to attend social activities
throughout the year and on holidays. Usually assisted living places have
a full-time nurse and trained staff. Meals are eaten in a dining room
and assistance is given when needed. Activities are planned throughout
the day and residents have the choice to attend or not. Church services
are held, some being a specific denomination and there is usually a
non-denominational gathering. Assisted care is regulated by the state.
Sources of funding can include personal funds, assistance for families,
Social Security, Medicaid, and long-term care insurance. The cost
varies, depending on the size of the unit, the services needed and
location. It’s between $1,000 and $2,000 per month, the average being
$1,873.
The nursing home is the most intensive in care (along with adult family
care homes). The residents have definite physical needs. They usually
have physical or mental disorders or happen to be too feeble and/or
unable to move around, bathe or prepare their own meals. Their ADL’s
(Activities of Daily living) are minimal and low functioning. As a
general rule, there will be no recovery or ability to take care of
themselves, so assistance is a necessity for most or all ADL’s. There
are definite medical needs too.
Nurses and nursing aids are available round the clock. Because of the
residents’ needs, nursing homes are staffed with that in mind. There is
full management of medication and it is administered according to a
physician’s orders. A person can obtain a private room if he/she is
paying with private funds. Normally, there are 2 people to a room. Meals
are brought to them or residents are taken to the dining area. Besides
full assistance, nursing homes offer rehabilitative services, exercise,
social activities, laundry, housekeeping, and prepared meals. Families
and friends are encouraged to visit.
The cost depends on where the home is and what the surcharge is that is
attached for private payers versus Medicare and Medicaid. Approximately
70% of nursing home costs are paid by the state and federal governments.
The government pays part or all of the fees for about 85% of the
residents. Another funding option is long-term care insurance. The
actual cost is somewhere around $114 a day or more and can go well above
$2,000 a month. This varies depending on the location and the services
required.
In summary, adult day care involves hours of care, while assisted living
and nursing homes offer more care progressively. It helps to research
all the residential and financial options. AARP is a valuable source, as
well as Medicare. There are a wealth of other websites that will help
relatives and friends find the right place for their loved ones and the
phone book lists companies and people that have a network to draw from.
Quality care of our elderly is essential. Knowing what can be done is
being done, brings a sense of peace of mind.
About The Author
Susie Drake sponsored by
eldercarelink.com/ who help to find
home health care providers for elders.
Reproductions of this article must include a link pointing to
eldercarelink.com/.
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