Coping with Chronic Health Conditions: Tips

Types Of Senior Care Facilities

12 May 2017 by Freddie Cox

If you are learning about senior care or considering it for a parent or relative, you should start by knowing the types of senior care that are available. It's easy to get them confused when you're new to the subject. Several types of senior care facilities are explained herein. 

Nursing Homes

These facilities are meant for seniors who need a lot of care and assistance. For instance, they have complex medical issues. Certified nurses working in nursing homes twenty-four hours a day, providing special care. Seniors who take up residence in nursing homes usually share a room with one other senior, eat together in a group dining area, and are usually provided with activities in which to take part. Nursing homes are more expensive than most other types of senior care, but they are worth it for the constant and long-term care.   

Independent Living

In contrast to nursing homes, independent living facilities offer much less individual care. These places are for seniors who can mostly take care of themselves and who don't have complicated medical issues. Resident seniors live in their own apartments and sometimes sign up for meal plans. These communities are generally for people fifty-five and older. They are among the most affordable types of senior care.  

Assisted Living 

Assisted living is often the next step if independent living is no longer viable. These facilities are best for seniors who can no longer live on their own but still require less intense care than those in a nursing home. As such, assisted living care is usually not quite as expensive as a nursing home. Like in a nursing home, meals are eaten in a group dining area. Residents receive help with taking and keeping track of medications, housekeeping, and other activities. Staff should be available twenty-four hours a day, but may or may not include licensed nurses. 

Home Care 

A variety of seniors in different conditions may receive home care, but in general, it is for those who need a little help staying independent. Daily life activities can be difficult for these seniors, so home care provides help with all the basics and then some. Seniors may need help with things like going to the bathroom, getting transportation, or organizing medications and appointments. Depending on the providers and the patients, home care may be given all day every day, or just once or twice per week. 

Other 

There are a few other types of senior care worth mentioning. Respite care, sometimes called "adult day care," takes care of seniors for a temporary interval. They are best for seniors who only need a short stay while their primary caregivers, such as family, are away or have an emergency. Alzheimer's care facilities are those specially designed for seniors with Alzheimer's Syndrome. Around the clock, professional care is given to manage the condition once seniors are unable to take care of themselves. Since these facilities offer the most intensive care, they are one of the most expensive types of senior care.   

Talk to a facility, like Paramount Parks At Eagle, for more help.

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