Four Types of Care in a Long-Term Senior Care Facility

A long term senior care facility is an institution that offers help to residents or patients who require assistance with their daily tasks. Due to old age and the complications that come with it, seniors require a place where they can receive great care. There are four types of facilities where the elderly can seek long term. In the paragraphs that follow, we'll discuss in detail these facilities and how they differ.

1. Independent Living Facilities
These types of institutions are designed for active seniors who still want to maintain their privacy and freedom. They include fully functioning homes, free meals, community activities, and laundry services, making the seniors' life very easy. Independent living facilities are perfect for seniors who want to maintain their independence and those who have few medical issues. 

The housing is very diverse as each person can choose the kind of house they want, from a single-family detached home to apartment-style living. Even though everyone lives independently, most communities provide security, social outings, salons, and other recreational services. They are homes for people who are aging and want to connect with their peers. 

Since independent living facilities are for older people who do not require a lot of assistance in their day-to-day activities, they rarely have medical facilities. However, in case you need any medical or nursing assistance, you can hire in-home assistance. The main distinction between independent living facilities and other institutions is that they offer long-term care for elderly people who require little or no assistance and maintain their independence and privacy. 


2. Assisted Living Facilities
This is a type of facility designed for elderly people who need different types of personal and medical care. They provide a home-like environment. Living areas include individual rooms, common quarters, and apartments. They are suitable for persons who are independent but may require assistance with small duties such as remembering their medication and using the washroom. 

Some of the services provided in such facilities include meals, personal care, for instance, bathing and dressing, laundry services, some medical services as well as recreational and social activities. Support is usually available 24/7 in case the residents need support or care. 

The residents of assisted living facilities can receive the care they need and at the same time enjoy the company of their peers. As people age, they must maintain their independence. This type of long-term care facility is similar to individual living facilities, though the residents here need more personal care but can still maintain their privacy and independence. 

3. Nursing Homes
Nursing homes are institutions created for elderly people who require regular medical assistance. They have difficulties accomplishing daily activities and need caregivers around them. They are for older adults who are unable to maintain their independence and need to be for. In addition to providing medical care to the residents, nursing homes also support community and social activities. 

Nursing homes provide skilled nursing care for their residents. Some are set up as hospitals, while some have a home-like setting. Those that are set up as hospitals have nurses on almost every floor. They are, however, not hospitals as they may not provide the same intensity of care that hospitals give, for instance, in evaluations and testing. Those that have a home-like setting provide a neighborhood feel to the residents, and they mostly do not have a day-to-day schedule. Residents are also allowed to go to the kitchen. 

Nursing homes may also provide temporary or short-term care. Some of the services provided in nursing homes include personal care, for instance, bathing and dressing, housekeeping and laundry services, meal and medical supervision, social work services, and recreational activities. Since nursing homes are not hospitals, they contact programs in the community for complex procedures such as radiology or laboratory services. Based on the resident's condition and the level of expert care required, the care is customized as needed in nursing homes. 

4. Continuing Care Retirement Communities
These types of facilities are also known as life plan communities. They are similar to the other facilities in that they are intended to be an all-in-one community. They offer all types of facilities, from independent living facilities to nursing homes. Older adults with minimal issues are housed in one part, while those who need extensive care are housed in another. 

Continuing care retirement communities are efficient as they ensure that a resident can easily move from one level of care to another if need be. This is beneficial to the residents since they can be able to live around their friends. It also makes the transition easier for the residents since they are more familiar with the surroundings. 

The main difference between the four types of care in a long-term senior care facility is the level of care needed. 

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