Assisted Living
Assisted living is a residential care community that offers assistance with daily activities for people who are able to get around independently. Every community offers different levels of support, so it's important to understand the level of care your loved one needs now as well as what health conditions may need further assistance in the future.
Memory Care
What is memory care? An Alzheimer's & dementia memory care community is for people with middle to late stage memory conditions. Often located within larger assisted living facilities or in smaller residential settings, memory care facilities offer special needs and dementia care. They may also have the actual building set up to enhance memory functions and to decrease potential confusion for memory care residents. These secure environments often have additional safety features and clearly designated walking paths.
Independent Living
When you need help caring for your loved one or helping them make the transition into their golden years, assisted living communities and nursing homes aren't the only senior care choices available to you. Simply put, an independent living community for seniors is there for those who need more socialization than living alone at home. They don't require regular medical services, but they may need a little help around the house.
Nursing Homes
A nursing home is the highest care environment for today's seniors that require the skilled nursing services of a physician, nurse, social worker, physical therapist, occupational therapist or a respiratory therapist. These facilities are mostly paid for by Medicare and Medicaid. A nursing home is usually used more for a short term rehabilitation stay than as a long term care community option unless the senior is on a Medicaid program.
In-Home Care
There are two types of home services, in-home care and home health care. In-home care includes non-clinical services with professional caregivers and home health care provides clinical or skilled care by licensed nurses and therapists. Discovering the difference between the two types gives a clear path to understanding which services best meet your needs.