Care Types
Assisted Living Communities
Assisted Living Facilities are a type of senior care community for seniors who want to live independently but require various amounts of assistance with performing daily tasks. Assisted living communities are non-medical and typically do not have nurses or doctors on staff. Caregivers at assisted living facilities are first aid and CPR certified and trained in assisting senior with activities of daily living, such as cooking, cleaning, bathing, grooming, toileting, and dressing. Often, the biggest benefactor of assisted living communities is the family member that can sleep easy knowing their loved one is being supervised 24 hour a day and a plan is in place in case of emergencies.
Residential Home & Care
Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly, commonly referred to as RCFEs or Board and Care, are smaller, home-like settings, for seniors that prefer to be in a residential setting and do not require 24 hours nursing care. Residential Care Facilities for Elderly are similar to Assisted Living communities, in that they are considered non-medical facilities, however they offer a more personal and attentive living environment. RCFEs provide room, board, housekeeping, and personal care assistance with basic activities like personal hygiene, dressing, eating, and walking.
Memory Care Communities
Memory Care is a type of care designed to cater to the needs of individuals with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Many families prefer to keep their loved ones at their individual residence for as long as possible to maintain a recognizable environment, but at some point, a person with Alzheimer’s disease will need more care than what can be provided at home. An environment which can provide round the clock supervised care is best to meet the demands of these individuals.
Independent Living
Independent Living, also described as Retirement Communities, Retirement Homes, Senior Apartments, and Continuing Care Retirement Communities vary in their services and amenities greatly. Communities are designed specially for seniors and recreate a residential or communal living environment without the hassles of maintenance or management of a home. Most Independent Living Communities don’t have doctors or nurses on staff, but they do typically have caregivers to assist with daily tasks, housekeeping, and meal preparation.
Nursing Homes
Nursing homes, also called skilled nursing facilities, provide a wide range of health and personal care services. Their services focus on medical care more than most assisted living facilities. These services typically include nursing care, 24-hour supervision, three meals a day, and assistance with everyday activities. Rehabilitation services, such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy, are also available.
Some people stay at a nursing home for a short time after being in the hospital. After they recover, they go home.