Senior Care

Historically, senior care meant moving your parents in with you until they passed on or needed medical services that you could no longer provide. That has all changed now, especially with families spread out over the country, busy with careers and more. So there are now many senior housing and senior care options available to suit most needs.

Senior Care can take on many forms, from non-medical companionship and assistance with daily activities, to medical rehabilitation, and end of life care. You can get senior care at home or in a variety of senior housing communities. The various types are outlined below:

Assisted Living – Communities offering help with the activities of daily living such as bathing, dressing, etc… available at larger communities or in home like settings also known as residential care, adult family homes, etc…

Alzheimer’s/Dementia Care – Communities offering a secure unit specializing in the helping clients with memory loss. Assisted living is defined as a combining of housing, personalized supportive services and health care designed to meet the individual needs of persons who need help with the activities of daily living, but do not need the skilled medical care provided in a nursing home. Assisted living communities are licensed and are mainly private pay, meaning it is paid for by the individual or long-term care insurance.

Adult Day Care – Programs providing a range of geriatric day services, including social, nutrition, nursing and rehab. These are typically non-residential facilities specializing in providing daily activities for elderly individuals or people who are handicapped. Most Adult Day Care facilities are open 10 to 12 hours per day.

Nursing Home – Communities licensed to provide healthcare services involved in managing complex, potentially serious, medical problems. Most nursing homes also offer short & long term rehabilitation services. Most nursing home residents require constant medical supervision and have significant deficiencies with activities of daily living

Home Care – Home Care Agencies provide personal services to elderly or disabled clients in their residence. This includes non-medical assistance in the client’s home, including help with cooking, cleaning, bathing, dressing, transportation, and companionship.

Home Health Care – Doctor ordered medical services for patients recovering from an illness or surgery or those needing medical attention while at their home. Also known as home health agencies, they provide a wide range of health and social services delivered at home to people recovering from an illness or injury, or persons who are elderly, disabled and/or chronically ill. Home Health Agencies provide "skilled services" such as nursing, social services, and therapeutic treatments (physical, speech, occupational therapy).

Hospice Care – Doctor ordered care for end of life patients, offered in the home or at a facility. Specifically, a Hospice Program provides palliative care consisting of medical, social, and support services for a period of six months to persons who are terminally ill. 

There are many other categories such as sub-acute care (which occurs in a facility after hospitalization) respite care (short-term) and more.

Most senior healthcare is covered by Medicare. The other options are private pay.

Whatever type of care is needed, you can find a list of options the fits your needs.

Just figure out what type is needed and use our search to find what’s available in your area.

Resources

Articles

Type of Senior Living & Care

Choosing a Senior Housing Facility or Care Option

A Systematic Method For Making Difficult Decisions

Geriatric Care Managers - How & Why We Can Help You

Long-term Care: To Buy or Not to Buy?

More…

 

Links

Eldercare Locator

National Association of Professional Geriatric Care Managers

Leading Age

American Health Care Association

More…

Senior Living and Care Options

Senior Care
Independent Living
Assisted Living
Alzheimer's Care
Home Care
Respite Care
Nursing Homes
Hospice Care
Alzheimer's Care