Personal Injury Lawyer
You may be considering the possibility of long-term care for yourself or a loved one. There are several different options available, but because the terms are often used interchangeably, you may be confused over what the distinctions are between them and which option is right for you. The following guide should help you understand what options are available and determine which is most appropriate for the situation.
1. In-Home Care
Not all long-term care options involve moving to a certain facility. For people who prefer to stay in their own homes but need assistance with certain aspects of their lives, in-home care may be a good option. Sometimes in-home care involves hiring a live-in assistant. More often, it involves engaging a service in which someone comes to the home at least several times a week, sometimes every day, to provide assistance with activities of daily living such as:
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Cooking
- Administering medications
Home health is a particular type of in-home care which involves registered nurses making visits to the home and performing examinations and medical treatments as needed. The frequency of in-home care and the services provided depends on the needs of the individual. Some people are mostly independent but only need help with a few activities, while others require more assistance.
2. Assisted Living
Assisted living is similar to in-home care in that it offers help with activities of daily living as needed. The difference is that assisted living involves moving to a certain facility. Many assisted living facilities offer individual apartments with staff available 24/7 to assist on a scheduled basis as well as to help with emergencies. Assisted living provides a moderate degree of independence and also offers the opportunity to socialize with a community of residents of the same age. However, the level of care is not sufficient for people with more serious health issues.
3. Skilled Nursing
A skilled nursing facility provides extensive care for people who are bedridden or have severe health problems that prevent them from caring for themselves. These people cannot perform even basic activities of daily living without assistance.
Memory care is a subtype of skilled nursing specifically for people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. It involves extra precautions to keep these people safe. There are separate memory care facilities as well as skilled nursing facilities with a separate memory care unit.
The right long-term care option for you or a loved one depends largely on the type and level of assistance required. Whatever you choose, you should check out the facility or care providers first to be sure they are reputable and competent. Hopefully you never encounter elder abuse, but if you do, seek the help of a lawyer, like a nursing home lawyer from Brown Kiely LLP, as soon as possible.