Four Categories of Long-Term Care For Seniors

​Many of us have had the opportunity to interact with senior members of our families, whether it be our parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, or other relatives. Everyone is concerned about what will take place if, heaven forbid, they get to the point where they require the assistance of a professional.

Those who have been here before understand that this is one of the most difficult choices you will ever be required to make. There aren't many things that can be done to make this process less difficult emotionally, but there are things that can make the move from one place to another smoother physically.

To begin, it is important to be aware that technically speaking, there are four distinct categories of long-term care facilities for the elderly. In the following paragraphs, we will go into further detail regarding these different types of facilities and how they differ from one another.

Independent Living

One of the long-term care facilities that are available in one of the sorts that imposes the fewest restrictions on its residents, and it is commonly known by a variety of names, including retirement communities. You might say that they are more of a "just in case" scenario, which is a fair way to explain them.

They are designed to serve as specialized neighborhoods, complete with fully-functioning homes, activities for the community, free meals, and laundry services. On top of that, in the event that things get even worse, there are medical facilities located right here in the area.

The one drawback to this is that the autonomy and luxury that are provided by these amenities come at a cost to the one using them. In the majority of cases, not only are you required to buy or rent the house but in addition to that, you are also required to pay a monthly charge. Having said that, the final cost of operating any kind of facility is likely to be significant.

In addition, these are not regulated, which means that staff can legally get away with more than at most other facilities because they have less oversight.

Communities Specializing in Assisted Living

Assisted living communities to provide residents with round-the-clock in-home care in addition to providing all of the amenities that are typical of retirement communities. People who are able to care for themselves most of the time but occasionally require assistance with less significant chores, such as remembering to take their prescription or using the restroom, are the best candidates for this.

The unfortunate reality is that although your loved one will never be without the care they need on a day-to-day basis, there is no guarantee that medical assistance will be accessible at any one time. If you're the type of person who insists on being ready for anything at any time, you might want to look into other possibilities.



Medical Care Facilities

Nursing homes are residences that are established for the purpose of providing round-the-clock medical care to individuals. Sometimes, these are employed for temporary care, such as after an operation, or if there is a brief period where their regular caretakers will be otherwise occupied. Other times, they are utilized in situations where there is a brief period where there is no regular caregiver available.

People suffering from Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and other illnesses comparable to these are typically treated at facilities like these.



Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC)

There is one very distinctive method in which continuing care retirement homes stand apart from other care facilities for the elderly. To be more specific, they provide exactly the same benefits as the other three facilities do.

This is due to the fact that they were created to be an all-encompassing community. Those that have very few challenges are accommodated in a certain section of the neighborhood. Those individuals who have more significant requirements are placed in a separate facility. The fact that there is space for movement is a positive aspect of this situation. Those who experience more severe symptoms are able to simply relocate to a different section of the facility rather than needing to seek treatment somewhere else entirely.



Different Categories of Long-Term Care Institutions

There are four primary categories of residential care homes and facilities that provide long-term care for the elderly. These establishments include nursing homes, assisted living communities, independent living communities, and retirement communities that provide continuing care. The level of care that your loved one needs is the primary factor that distinguishes one type of facility from another of its kind.

Please visit our website if you are interested in learning more about long-term care institutions or any other topics pertaining to the care of older adults. You can learn from us about dementia and how to protect yourself from getting it. We are also able to provide information regarding the warning signs of elder abuse as well as ways in which you may assist.