Services Independent Living, often referred to as Retirement Communities, Congregate Living or Senior Apartments, are designed specifically for independent senior adults who want to enjoy a lifestyle filled with recreational, educational and social activities with other seniors. These communities are designed for seniors who are able to live on their own, but desire the security and conveniences of community living. Some communities offer an enriched lifestyle with organized social and recreational programs as a part of everyday activities (Congregate Living or Retirement Communities), while others provide housing with only a minimal amount of amenities or services (Senior Apartments).
Some Independent Living Communities offer abundant recreational activities which may include swimming pool/spas, exercise facilities, Clubhouse/Lounge and Library/ Reading Lounges. Communities may also provide laundry facilities, linen service, meals or access to meals, local transportation, and planned social activities. Communities can be either "Age Inclusive" or "Age Exclusive." Age Inclusive communities attract retirees, but do not have age-requirements whereas Age Exclusive communities do have senior age-requirements (usually age 55 and older).
Cost Prices are generally dependent upon the local market. Most communities that provide services are market rate, but some subsidized senior apartments cater to seniors with limited incomes.
Plans can include housekeeping, laundry, van or scheduled transportation. Most communities with these services also provide at least one group activity per day.
Regulation Because these communities are not licensed by local, state or federal agencies, there is no formal regulation. In those communities that provide services and activities, the rules are set and governed by the management company providing the services. In other communities, an on-site or off-site manager will help address any problems.
Payment Options Private Funds are most often used, although some senior apartments are subsidized and accept Section 8 vouchers. Medicare and Medicaid do not cover payment since no healthcare is provided.
Care Health care is not provided with your normal fees, but many communities will allow you to pay for a home health aide or nurse to come into your apartment to assist you with medicines and personal care.
Assisted Living Assisted Living provides a special combination of residential housing, personalized supportive services and healthcare. These residential settings maximize independence, but do not provide skilled nursing care. Assisted Living may offer the same features as independent living communities, with the added assistance of personal care. It is designed to meet the individual needs of those requiring help with activities of daily living, but do not need the skilled medical care provided in a nursing home.
Services Assisted Living Communities can be free standing, part of a Continuing Care Community that provides independent, assisted and nursing care, affiliated with a nursing home, or often are specialized services brought into independent retirement communities. There are a variety of names used to describe Assisted Living facilities; many specialized to certain regions of the country. Board and Care, Residential Care Facilities, Community Based Retirement Facilities, Personal Care, Adult Living Facilities, Adult Foster Care, etc. are all examples of Assisted Living facilities. However, the generic term throughout the country is "Assisted Living."
Care These residential settings maximize independence, but do not provide skilled nursing care. Assisted Living offers the same features as retirement communities, with the added assistance of personal care. It is designed to meet the individual needs of those requiring help with activities of daily living, but does not need the skilled medical care provided in a nursing home. Although the variety of services and level of care will vary, most communities provide assistance with dressing, grooming, bathing, and other daily activities. Assistance with medications differs according to state regulations; this is reflected on each community-listing page by "supervision, administration, or monitoring."
Cost Costs for Assisted Living depend on the number of services and accommodations that they offer. The facilities charges will reflect the number of services that you will have access to. Most plans include meals and laundry, but some may limit the number of meals per month.
Payment Options Most Assisted Living Communities accept private pay only; however, in some states there is assistance with payment. Some long-term care insurance policies may cover Assisted Living. This type of information is best determined on an individual basis.
Regulation Assisted Living facilities are regulated and licensed at the state level. Each state does so according to its own laws-there are no federal regulations on Assisted Living.
Alzheimer's/Dementia Care
Services Although many Assisted Living communities and Nursing Homes cater to individuals with Alzheimer's disease and other related memory disorders or dementia, there is a growing trend towards facilities that provide specialized care and housing tailored to the special needs of individuals with this disease. These facilities offer care that fosters residents' individual skills and interests in an environment that helps to diminish confusion and agitation. Specialty services are provided in a secure environment, such as activity programs designed to include reality orientation classes and specially trained professional staff skilled in handling the behavior associated with memory impairments. Many facilities that specialize in Alzheimer's or related dementia disorders have building design features that assist with the problems associated with this disease: color-coded hallways, visual cues, and secure wandering paths for additional security.
Care Similar to Assisted Living communities, most provide assistance with dressing, grooming, bathing, and other daily activities. Assistance with medications differs according to state regulations. Meals, laundry and housekeeping are usually provided within private and semi-private rooms in a residential type setting.
Nursing Home
Services Nursing Homes, or Skilled Nursing Facilities, are designed for seniors who are in need of 24-hour nursing care. Nursing Facilities provide many of the same residential components of other senior care options including room and board, personal care, protection supervision, and may offer other types of therapy. Their onsite medical staff sets them apart from other types of senior housing. Nursing care is provided by registered nurses (RN), licensed practical nurses (LPN), and nurses aides at all hours of the day.
Standard Services:
clean, furnished room
housekeeping and linen service
medically planned meals & snacks
trained medical staff
professional service staff-activity director, social worker, etc.
Extra Charge:
on-call physician and physician services
physical, respiratory, and speech therapists
medications
personal care items
laundry service
Care
Basic Care - These are services required to maintain a resident's activities of daily living. Basic Care includes personal care, supervision and safety. A nurse aide, practical nurse or a family member can provide this care.
Skilled Care - This is the level of care which requires the regular services of a registered nurse for treatments and procedures. Skilled care also includes services provided by specially trained professionals, such as physical and respiratory therapists.
Sub-Acute - This is comprehensive inpatient care designed for someone who has had an acute illness, injury, or chronic illness. Sub acute care is generally more intensive than traditional nursing facility care and less than acute care, requiring frequent (daily to weekly) recurrent patient assessment and review.
Regulation Nursing Homes are licensed and regulated by State Departments of Public Health and are individually certified by the State for Medicare and Medicaid. They offer a staff of licensed and or /registered nurses, nursing aides, and administrators as required by licensing standards. The health care is supervised and authorized by a physician. They must also meet federal requirements.
Payment Options Nursing Homes charge a basic daily or monthly fee. Often families purchase long-term care insurance in anticipation of the cost, while others must depend on other forms of financing. Facilities accept a variety of Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance carriers, and private funds. The Nursing Home will ask you for financial information in order to determine the appropriate payment source.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Services Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) are residential campuses that provide a continuum of care---from private units to assisted living and then skilled nursing care, all in one location. CCRCs are designed to offer active seniors an independent lifestyle from the privacy of their own home, but also include the availability of services in an assisted living environment and on-site intermediate or skilled nursing care if necessary.
CCRCs offer a variety of residential services including the following:
a maintained apartment, townhouse, or other unit
cleaning and laundry service
meals in common dining areas (# per day varies)
ground maintenance
security
social, recreational, and cultural programs
Health care services:
care is covered for contracted services
personal care and help with daily activities
nursing care
rehabilitative care
respite & hospice care
Alzheimer's & special care clean, furnished room
Payment With Continuing Care there are many different types of contracts and fees to consider. An Extensive contract offers unlimited long-term nursing care for little or no increase in monthly fees. A Modified contract includes a specified amount of health care beyond which additional fees are incurred. Some communities may require residents to purchase long term care insurance as criteria for acceptance. There are also communities that provide services and access to medical care on a month-to-month basis.
Cost
Monthly fees generally cover the following:
Meals (numbers may vary)
Scheduled transportation
House-keeping services
Unit maintenance
Laundry
Health monitoring services
Some utilities
Organized social activities
Emergency call monitoring
Security
Regulation CCRCs are highly regulated in some states, but not in others. There is no federal agency which oversees them. The Continuing Care Accreditation Commission (CCAC), a private nonprofit organization, accredits these communities. This voluntary process involves a review of finances, governance and administration; resident health and wellness, and resident life.
Services