Identifying the appropriate form and style of care can seem a bit tricky. Up until recently, the type and styles of care were fairly basic. The choices were: A Skilled Nursing Facility, Nursing or Convalescent Home, or a Retirement Home. Mom could stay at home and bring in a care giver (usually a family member) or she moved in with one of the adult children.
The Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) provided for after surgery observation and recovery as well as physical therapy and rehabilitation in a clinical setting. It would provide hospital quality meals, medication management, hygiene and showers 2 - 3 times a week.
A Nursing or Convalescent Home would provide the same services and amenities as the SNF without physical therapy.
A Retirement Home usually provided more appetizing meals and snacks. Social activities and minor assistance with medication, dressing, and bathing.
Over the years many factors within our society have changed. Just to name a few:
- Our population is living longer.
- Two-paycheck homes are common.
- Families are waiting into their 30’s & 40’s to have children.
So, the ability for an adult child to take Mom into their home and provide the same 24/7 care Mom provided her parents, is all too often not workable or even safe. Let’s face it, if Mom is in her 90’s, the kids are easily in their mid-60’s or 70’s!
Fortunately, senior care has also seen changes, in many cases without being noticed. There have been huge shifts in how care and services are provided. Some of these changes have been brought about due to our life style choices. Also as society ages, new challenges/illnesses are being identified as well as new understandings on how best to treat and care for them. Still other changes are the result of new laws and regulations.
Over the last 15+ years, the roles of the SNF, Nursing or Convalescent, and Retirement Homes have merged, expanded, contracted, and become specialized. Notably, most of the common descriptions have been phased out or are no longer relevant.
(Formally Retirement Homes)
Assisted Living has taken a GIANT leap in the level of care and services provided. Today an Assisted Living Community can range from 4 beds to more than 500 beds or apartments.
We will see these communities divided into Residential Care For the Elderly (RCFE) also known as Board and Cares, usually between 4 – 15 beds. These can provide a very hands-on level of care with a care to client ratio typically of 1:2-1:3. Many of the RCFE’s are able to provide care for clients with dementia or Alzheimer’s and those with physical needs of care often in a common setting.
The medium and large communities are more often referred to as Assisted Living Communities. These communities provide care for Independent Living as well as Assisted Living and Memory Care. The services or care ranges from as little as providing meals and snacks, all the way up to what is often still believed only to be provided in a Skilled Nursing or Convalescent Home. In fact, many RCFE’s/Assisted Living Communities are able to accept clients in need of care for all EXCEPT the following:
- Active Communicable deceases or infections
(Covid-19, Tuberculous, Mersa) - Intravenous medications (IV’s)
- Stage 3 or 4 woundsIntubations
These care communities have seen the most narrowing of definitions. Although as recently as 10 years ago, these three types of care communities cared for most of our elderly in long-term care. We are now seeing a strong shift to short-term rehabilitation, followed by a discharge to home or an appropriate care level at an Assisted Living.
How Do We Take Care of the Fastest Growing Population?
As our senior society continues to increase, a growing number are experiencing health and care concerns. Living alone with dementia or physical challenges comes the often overwhelming question of “HOW am I going to do this?”
Advising a family, “Mom needs convalescent or custodial care” may no longer be the best solution. This will often send the family out to find the recommended care only to be told Mom DOES NOT QUALIFY to be admitted into a SNF or Convalescent Home. Or there simply are no long-term beds available within an hour of her family or friends.
Our society has become complicated. You go to a lawyer for a Living Trust, a mechanic to work on your car, and the accountant to navigate the tax codes. The needs of our senior population also require a specialist.
Certified Senior Advisors
A Certified Senior Advisor (CSA) has been trained and must certify a continuation of studies focusing on the needs and constantly evolving services and specialties addressing seniors today. Thus allowing for an up to date perspective of the direction, recourses and care needed.
At Assisted Living Locators-San Gabriel Valley, we listen to the family’s needs and concerns. We will discuss the challenges and help find the most appropriate answers and directions, all at no cost to the family.
My team and I are ready to come to you and walk you through an often stressful and confusing process.
