Filled with acronyms and fancy lingo, the field of elderly care can be hard to wrap your mind around when trying to find a trustworthy place that offers the services you need. Lets see if we can't simplify a few things for you!
If you find yourself or a loved one experiencing the effects of aging or illness, you’re likely questioning what types of care options are available in your future. Your current and future needs will help guide the choice of which care option is best.
Home Care: This type of care allows you to continue enjoying independence in your own home. Caregivers can provide assistance with meals, medication, bathing, dressing and housekeeping. They may be able to help with transportation, paying bills and making appointments. Caregivers can be scheduled around the clock, or specific days and times. This is a good option when you still have the ability to manage or hire out maintenance of your home, yard and car. Eventually, the upkeep on a home may become too much, or you may need more help and care then is feasible for an in-home caregiver to provide.
Assisted Living: These communities are great for individuals who can’t live safely on their own, but don’t need the high level of care found in nursing homes. A private apartment is provided which may have a small kitchen area. There is no house or yard upkeep to worry about. Meals are provided, and staff is available 24/7 for assistance with medication, housekeeping, and other activities. Assisted living communities often provide social activities and scheduled transportation. Because of a high staff to resident ratio, wait times for assistance can be long. This setting is best for those who don’t need frequent or involved assistance.
Memory Care: This is a specialized facility dedicated to care for those with dementia. Similar to assisted living, a private or shared room is provided. 24 hour care along with meals, housekeeping, medication management, bathing/dressing and activities are given. A memory care facility can secure their doors/exits to provide safety from the wandering behaviors of those with dementia.
Nursing Homes: These provide a high level of medical care for those completely dependent on caregivers. Most residents have complex medical conditions and high care needs requiring round the clock skilled nursing. Licensed nurses are available 24/7 to provide assistance. Many nursing homes provide short term rehab for those recovering from surgery, illness or injury. Accommodations are in a shared room, and meals are served in a communal dining room.
Adult Family Home (AFH): Also referred to as an adult care home, or residential care home, this care is provided in a private home. The home is licensed to provide care for only 1-6 people. Residents may have a private or shared room depending on availability and budget. Caregivers are available 24/7 and provide meals, housekeeping, medication management, activities and assistance with all Activities of Daily Living. The environment is a family-like and home-like setting where residents and caregivers can develop close bonds because of the low caregiver to resident ratio.
When choosing what care options are best, consider the long term. As care needs increase, it may be necessary to move to different facility types in order to meet those needs. Repeated moves are difficult for elders, especially those with memory impairment or dementia. As aging and memory loss progresses, it becomes more and more challenging to adapt to each new setting.
An adult family home (AFH) can offer assistance for a wide spectrum of care needs, and allow you or your loved one a best opportunity to “age in place”. This setting can foster independence where possible, and easily transition into providing higher care needs when necessary. Different homes can offer varying levels of care for medical needs. Some complex medical needs can be cared for depending on the certifications of caregivers, oversight of registered nurses, or utilizing home health services. An adult family home can address most memory care needs for those with dementia.
When nearing the end of life, AFH’s will work with hospice services and provide the comfort and love deserved by every person at the end of their life. An adult family home will truly provide the best age in place plan, with personalized care in a small setting.
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