There are many circumstances that lead families to consider other living options for their loved ones. These include independent living, assisted living, memory care. There may also be times when hospitalizations occur and there is a need for short term rehabilitation prior to returning home. How do you take that next step and make the decision on which setting is most appropriate.
Independent Living: An independent living community gives the resident complete freedom in their living space as well as in the community. It also offers onsite social and recreational activities. It also gives options for meal plans. The independent living communities apartments are handicapped accessible. They also offer caregiving services if there is an illness or injury.
Assisted Living: In an assisted living community residents have their own room and occasionally their own apartment, with out the stove. Meals are provided to the residents, along with social and recreational activities. There are also caregivers to help with activities of daily living, toileting, and meal assistance. Medication management is also available for residents. Many assisted living communities have transportation available to take residents on outings or to medical appointments.
Memory Care: Memory care is usually a dedicated wing or section within an assisted living community. They are secure units, which prevents wandering and getting lost, that occurs with progressive dementia. This environment helps in maintaining resident dignity, while also offering a level of independence. The staff to resident ratio is usually higher in memory care units. The residents receive social and recreational geared to the mental abilities.
Sub-Acute Rehabilitation: When a senior is hospitalized due to illness or injury, they often become deconditioned during their hospital stay and need physical or occupational therapy to regain their strength.
Nursing Home: Nursing home is geared to those individuals that need a higher level of care on a 24/7 basis.
Hospice Care: When people decline either through disease process progression or their body slows down hospice may be recommended. Hospice care can be delivered in the home setting, the assisted living, memory care, nursing home, or inpatient hospice facility.
Financial Responsibility: Independent, Assisted Living, and Memory care are private pay. Sub-Acute Rehab and Hospice are covered under Medicare and Medicaid. Nursing Home care can be private pay or Medicaid. Medicare does not cover custodial care.
We at Medical Consulting Services can help sort the appropriate level of care you loved needs. We assist with the search, interviewing staff, asking the difficulty questions. Together we find the best fit and develop a smooth transition for your loved one. You are not alone.
There are many “free” services that say they can find your loved one a place to live, what makes Medical Consulting Services different, is that we are YOUR advocate, YOU are our client. We receive no “commission” or “payment” from any facility. We look at the total picture.