Home Health Care
When a need surfaces, one can receive health care
and personal care services within their own home with the assistance
of an eldercare or home care agency. Home Care is a
cost-effective alternative to hospital care, assisted living
facilities or other institutional care. Services are available to
people of all ages on a basis of daily visits, monthly visits, or
hourly care, up to 24-hours a day. 2002 trends show more older
adults are choosing to live independent lives at home and
take advantage of home care services. Services may include medical
and non-medical care such as assisting with shopping, laundry,
meals, companionship and personal transportation.
If socialization is an issue, Older Adult
Communities (apartments, condominiums, and mobile homes) are
designed to keep independent seniors in a lifestyle filled with
recreational, educational and social activities among other seniors.
These communities often include a variety of amenities such as golf
courses, tennis courts, swimming pool/spas, exercise facilities and
computer lounges. Often they provide laundry facilities, meals,
local transportation, and planned social activities.
Assisted Living
A blended combination of residential housing,
personalized supportive services and health care designed for the
individual needs of those requiring help with activities of daily
living (dressing, bathing, grooming, etc.), but not skilled medical
care.
Services and level of care will vary by facility
although all provide assistance with daily activities, meals,
laundry, and housekeeping.
Assisted Living offers a wide range of options
from a single family home housing 4-6 residents to the more
extensive apartment style environment to the specially designed
assisted living facility with all the touches of home. These
facilities can be free standing or a part of a Continuing Care
Community that provides independent, assisted and nursing care all
on the same campus.
Memory Impaired
Many facilities cater to residents with
Alzheimer's Disease and other related memory disorders. These
specialized facilities provide care and housing while addressing the
special needs of individuals with dementia. Care is structured to
provide an environment that helps diminish confusion and agitation.
Specialty services such as programs designed to include reality
orientation classes are usually included. Generally all staff is
trained to become skilled in handling the behavior associated with
memory impairments.
Hospice Homes
This is truly a special environment where care is
designed to provide compassion and support for individuals nearing
the end of their lives. Hospice care seeks to enable patients to
spend their days with dignity in as comfortable and pain-free manner
as possible. Hospice care can also be provided in the privacy of
your home, in a hospice facility or a nursing home.
Nursing Homes
Provides lodging, meals, personal care, medical
care and personal security to patients with acute medical needs,
Each is licensed and regulated by the State.
There are three levels of care provided by nursing
homes:
