Once you know you or your parent need more support, it’s time to find a place with the services and environment that best fits your needs. Here are some of the most commonly available options and what you can expect from each.
Types of Senior Care
Retirement Homes or Independent Living Communities
This a good option for older adults without daily care needs, but cannot or no longer wish to cook, drive and keep up with maintaining a home. The monthly apartment rental rate often includes meals, housekeeping, maintenance, laundry, transportation, events and programs.
Personal Care or Assisted Living Communities
With many of the same convenient services and amenities as retirement homes, these communities offer more skilled staffing and are licensed to offer support with bathing, dressing, mobility assistance, medication administration, and incontinence care. Care services are typically an extra charge in addition to the monthly rental rate.
Board and Care Homes or RCFEs (Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly)
These homes offer similar care services as assisted living, but are a good choice for people who prefer a relaxed, more intimate environment – ten or fewer residents and a high staff-to-resident ratio. Care services are typically an extra charge in addition to the monthly rental rate.
Skilled Nursing Facilities
These facilities are for older adults with long-term care needs that exceed what the other options are licensed to provide, such as tube-feeding, catheterization, and other invasive medical procedures, or are completely bedridden. Medicare and Long-Term Care Insurance can often be applied to care costs.