Long Term Care for Seniors – Choosing the Right Facility

Let's face it. If we all had a choice, we'd prefer to remain in our homes or with our families until the end. But life isn't always that kind. Disease, injuries and mental impairment can force many of us into a specialized care facility.

However knowing which type of facility can best suit your needs, and what to know so you don't end up in a miserable environment can be a challenge.

Types of Long Term Care Facilities

Most senior housing provides elders an environment where they can participate in activities with other seniors as well as receive the kind of care they require.

But not all senior housing options are the same. In general, you'll find there are 3 main types of facilities to choose from.

Independent Living
Assisted Living
Nursing Home Care

An independent living facility resembles an apartment-like community environment and is purely for those seniors who are healthy and able to care for themselves while maintaining their privacy and freedom.

Assisted living helps those folks who have slight medical conditions and need help with things like bathing, dressing, grooming or preparing meals. Many of these facilities are licensed by the state and offer seniors a community setting.

Nursing homes (or skilled nursing facilities) offer round the clock medical care as well as short-term rehabilitation. People who suffer from chronic ailments can get long-term care, as well as RN attention, in these places. In addition, nursing homes offer assistance with bathing, dressing, using the bathroom and getting around.

The Best Option

Deciding on what type of care facility you need depends largely on your circumstances. For instance: a senior may need temporary care following a stroke or surgery, after which they're able to return to their home. Other situations suggest that a permanent move to a long-term care facility makes the most sense.

Assessing your level of independence can also influence which type of place would best suit you. Are you able to care for yourself and do you mind living alone? Or would you rather be in an environment that offers more personalized attention?

What are your medical needs? People with chronic illnesses or who require 24-hour medical supervision almost always have to go to a nursing home or continuous care facility.

Finding the Right Place

Everyone has heard the horror stories of seniors who have been abused while in a nursing home or other type of long-term care environment. Fortunately, these cases aren't as common as the media might have you believe. However, doing a little investigative work beforehand can help you avoid getting into a bad situation.

Whatever type of long-term care you choose you should walk through (preferably with family members) and evaluate the places you're considering. Ask questions of the staff as well as the residents and be wary of a place that won't let you speak to a resident in private.

Seek the advice and opinions of your doctor as well as people who are responsible for investigating as well as reporting on the quality of every long-term care facility. While these people generally can't recommend one place over the other, they can give you access to information such as abuse reports.

Evaluate your personal needs. Are you very independent? Do you need (or would you like) help preparing meals? Transportation around town? How about engaging in recreational activities with others in your age group?

Every facility is different and each has services that another might not offer. Nursing homes in particular vary widely in the types of medical care they provide. Do you need respiratory therapy? Physical therapy? How about assistance dealing with the onset of Alzheimer's or dementia? There are even places that specialize in the type of care needed, such as hospice, kidney dialysis treatment and care for Parkinson's disease.

What's it All Going to Cost?

Plenty. Costs for long-term care are skyrocketing and there's no end in sight as to how high they'll go. Many people have insurance policies that offer some assistance while others have to use their savings or even sell off their homes.

Unfortunately, Medicare doesn't pay for long-term care. It will pay for a medically necessary skilled nursing facility or home health care, but you'll have to meet certain conditions in order for Medicare to pick up the tab.

Seniors with low incomes may be able to get help through the use of Medicaid, which pays for some nursing home care for those who meet income eligibility requirements.