Levels of Senior Care

We understand that finding the right level of care can feel confusing and overwhelming. We hope that this page will provide an initial guide to finding the right level of care custom to your needs.

Skilled Nursing Facilities

A nursing home is normally the highest level of care for older adults outside of a hospital. Nursing homes provide what is called custodial care, including getting in and out of bed, and providing assistance with feeding, bathing and dressing. A licensed physician supervises each patient’s care and a nurse or other medical professional is almost always on the premises. Many skilled nursing facilities offer nursing care in one convenient location 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Depending on the skilled nursing facility occupational, physical, and speech therapists, are also available. If a patient needs rehabilitation a patient receives the services until they’re able to go home.

The label “nursing home” has negative connotations for many people. Yet nursing homes provide an important component of senior housing options.

Living arrangements in a nursing home

The environment and layout varies from nursing home to nursing home. For example, some rooms may be private and others shared. Rooms may have their own bathroom, or bathrooms may be shared.

Short-term & Long-term Care Available

Short Term Care
If you are seeking short-term medical and/or rehabilitative services, we will focus our efforts working closely with you and your family on achieving the most successful functional outcomes so that you can return home as quickly as possible. A dedicated team of healthcare professionals will design an individualized care plan that is tailored to your specific needs. Supporting the nursing team is a group of licensed therapist who provide physical, occupational and speech therapies for patients recovering from a major surgery, stroke, neurological and orthopedic conditions or other illnesses, injuries and disabilities. We have dedicated a special unit of 9 rooms designed exclusively for patients who have as their primary goal to return home as quickly and as safely as possible.We are guided by the principle that quality healthcare is best achieved when we work as a team.

Long Term Care
Our long-term care units are designed for individuals who need 24-hour nursing care and may be chronically ill, frail or experiencing a very slow recovery from an illness or injury. These units offer both semi-private room and triple room accommodations.Our visitors are welcome to enjoy visiting with residents in our activity room or our lovely outdoor patio courtyard.In addition, we offer respite or vacation care that allows families an opportunity to take a brief break from the demands of caring for a loved one around-the-clock.

Skilled nursing facilities provide an extensive range of care under the supervision of licensed nurses and doctors who specialize in the care of the elderly. The following is a list of care that may be offered by skilled nursing facilities.

  •  Stroke Recovery – helping patients regain motor skills and speech functions.
  •  Parkinson’s Care – specific care required to attend advanced Parkinson’s cases
  •  Custodial Care – helps patients with ADLs
  •  General Wound Care – cleans wounds and administers antibiotics for infection.
  •  Acute Medical Conditions – assistance where an illness, infection or injury is present
  • Terminal Illness Care – services offered along with hospice care for people living with terminal illness
  • General Rehabilitation – speech, physical, and occupational therapy and other services to help patients recover after an extended illness of invasive operation.

Residential Care Facilities 

Assisted living facilities are group living environments that provide assistance with some activities of daily living (ADLs). Whether they provide nursing services or help with medications varies among states. We recommend that you contact assisted living facilities to see if they can perform all levels of care that are necessary for your best well-being.

In assisted living, people often live in their own room or apartment and have some of all of their meals together with other residents. Social and recreational activities are usually provided

These facilities provide help with ADLs. Some help with care most people can do themselves (like taking medicine, getting to appointments, or preparing meals).

Hospice & Respite Care

Hospice is program of care and support for people who are terminally ill. Hospice helps people who are terminally ill live comfortably. When you choose hospice care, you’ve decided that you no longer want care to cure your terminal illness and/or your doctor has determined that efforts to cure your illness aren’t working.

Respite care is a very short inpatient stay given to a hospice patient so that their usual caregiver can rest.

Home care: 

Depending on your needs, you may be able to get help with your personal care and ADLs at home from family members or friends. Home care agencies are also available to help with personal care, like bathing and help walking.
Resources:

http://longtermcare.gov/

http://www.medicare.gov/what-medicare-covers/part-a/other-long-term-care-choices.html#collapse-4922

http://www.skillednursingfacilities.org/

http://www.helpguide.org/articles/senior-housing/guide-to-nursing-homes.htm