Elder Care Services - Determining Your Level Of Care

| Tuesday, July 5, 2011
By Clifford Gill


An elderly person should not be taken into a nursing home without first determining his physical and mental needs. Standard nursing facilities provide board and lodging services with scheduled social activities and are manned by trained personnel who are qualified caregivers. While nursing homes offer similar basic services, some are equipped to provide specialized care to the specific requirements of some residents. If the resident is under the care of a physician, the latter should have a hand in the health care of the former. The nursing staff has the obligation and responsibility to regularly report the mental and physical state of the resident to his physician.

Sheltered Care Facility

People who are functionally independent but need some assistance in daily living, require the care of a sheltered care facility (SC).

The focus of attention in sheltered care facilities is on the daily activities of the resident rather than on the medical aspect. The areas where the resident is being cared for are his dietary needs, his tidiness, medication maintenance and his recreational activities.

Assisted Living Care

People who are mobile but may need assistance with one or two activities of daily living, may require the services of an assisted living facility.

A good assisted living facility is designed and configured to give the kind of assistance and living condition needed by its residents ᾢ round the clock assistance in doing daily activities or providing health care, elderly and infirm-friendly physical layout (e.g., no stairs to climb), with proper equipment and facilities for their differing and varying needs, and taking care all the time that the residents are given all opportunity to live a normal life without making them feel dependent and inutile.

Intermediate Care Services An intermediate care facility (ICF) is a place where the physically handicapped, the aged and infirm are taken care of by licensed nurses.

The ICF provides round the clock personal care and health services for individuals who, while not deemed to be in serious condition, are not 100% able or with physical limitations and need nursing care intermittently. Work related and physical recovery programs are also available in these places. This type of facility may be certified to participate in the Medicare and/or Medicaid program. Check with each facility.

Skilled Nursing Care Community

People who need 24-hour care require the care of a skilled nursing facility (SNF).

The SNF is staffed with Registered Nurses (RN), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPN) and Certified Nurse Assistants who are qualified to dispense the care and service instructions of a physician. The package of services can include group care, physical and occupational recovery programs. Medicare and/or Medicaid programs are usually available in these facilities. To be sure, ask the facility.




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