Types Of Senior Housing And Care Facilities

Independent Senior Apartments
Assisted Living Facilities
Residential Care Facilities
Skilled Nursing Facilities

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Types Of Senior Housing and Care Facilities [188kb pdf file]

Independent Senior Apartments are large buildings or complexes with individual apartment for the independent, active senior. These facilities are designed to enable independent seniors to enjoy a lifestyle with recreational, educational, and social activities.

• Market rate: moderate income, low income, or HUD subsidized apartments.
• 24 hour emergency call system
• Resident managers in some facilities
• Transportation, activities, meal programs, and housekeeping services in some facilities.
• Low income and HUD subsidized buildings generally having long waiting lists.

Assisted Living Facilities (ALF) are buildings with 50+ small apartments offering safety features such as bathroom grab bars, emergency call system, 24 hour security and staff. These facilities maximize independence by providing apartment style living with services designed for individual needing assistance. Services are provided to address a resident's health, safety, mobility and personal care needs. Services can be adjusted as the resident's need change.

• Ability to provide complete personal care services including bathing, dressing, incontinence care, bathroom assistance, medication supervision, mobility support
• Meals serviced restaurant style in dining room; most faculties offer breakfast, lunch and dinner. Some facilities offer several choices and alternative to the main menu
• Room service available for short illness or recuperation, length of time room service can be provided varies with facility
• Weekly housekeeping and laundry service
• Opportunities for organized activities and socialization
• Transportation services for medical appointments, shopping, errands and outings
• Some facilities have designated areas and programs for Alzheimer/Dementia Care
• Some facilities only provide Alzheimer/Dementia care
• Licensed by Community Care Licensing
• Estimated cost: $2000 - $5000 per month depending on location and care needs. Cost increased as more personal care services are provided. Fees for additional services determined by individual facility.

Residential Care Facility for the Elderly are often referred to as "board and care homes" for individuals who are unable to live alone but do not warrant skilled nursing services.

• Small home environment usually up to 8 residents
• Complete personal care services and supervision of all daily activities including help with bathing, dressing, incontinence care, bathroom assistance, medication supervision, mobility support
• Bedside care during periods of minor or temporary illness
• Transportation to medical appointments depending on facility
• 24 hour staff' generally 2 to 3 caregivers for 4 to 8 residents
• Some homes specialize in caring for individuals with Dementia or Alzheimer's
• Licensed by Community care Licensing
• Estimated cost of care range: $1500- $3000 per month depending on location and individual care needs.

Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF) are called nursing homes, convalescent hospitals, and rest homes. SNF's are equipped to provide more extensive care needs such as administering injections, wound care and monitoring blood pressure. Two levels of care are available: skilled nursing care and custodial care.

• Licensed and regulated by the California Department of Health Services, Licensing and Certification Branch
• Skilled nursing care includes daily nursing services administered by registered nurse, therapist or a licensed vocational nurse
• Custodial care includes care for individuals not requiring daily services of an RN, therapist or LVN but needing trained individuals to provide assistance with bathing, incontinence care, dressing eating, getting in and out of bed.
• Recreational activities provided for all residents
• Rehabilitative services ordered by a physician include physical, occupational, speech and respiratory therapies
• Payment by Medicare, Medi-Cal, and private long-term care insurance if specific services are provided and criteria met
• Custodial care is not reimbursed by Medicare or Medicare supplement policies
• Estimated cost for shared room: $40,000 - $50,000 a year per individual

Links for Senior Living Options:

AARP- Senior Housing Choices
CA Advocates for Nursing Home Reform
Help Guide - Health, Living
Independent Living Resource
National Council on Aging
Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa
Services to Help Seniors Stay at Home

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