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When you or a loved one need additional help through the aging
process, the range of options includes: care in own home,
assisted living, adult family homes, and nursing homes.
Below is a general description of each of these options.
To get more information, feel free to call Cindy Sipes, RN at
(206) 618-5559.
 Care in
Own Home
Most elderly prefer to stay in their own home. This is a
great option as long as they can be relatively independent
with caregivers visiting on a scheduled basis to augment personal needs. The
limitations include finding consistent quality caregivers and
the ability to be independent when caregivers are not
available. Also, some caregivers have limited
training (for example, they may not be skilled in CPR, First Aid, cooking, hygiene,
etc.).
 Assisted Living
This option involves living in a personal 1-2 bedroom apartment
with weekly cleaning service, community setting, group meals
and various activities. This option allows for some independence.
Additional care services that may be provided in an assisted
living environment include help with medications,
transportation to meals, and bathing. This living
arrangement requires the ability to be alone with
intermittent care as contracted.
 Adult Family Homes
The Adult Family Home is a residential setting with a
maximum of 6 live-in clients. Twenty four hour care is
provided which includes meals, laundry, medication assistance,
and activities. This is a personalized home-like setting. This
environment promotes a close relationship with caregivers and
other residents. This is the next level of care after Assisted Living. The
services can be from general supervision to end-of-life care
depending on the skills of the providers. Registered Nurse
(RN) providers can match many care needs usually associated
with Nursing Homes including Alzheimer’s / Dementia care,
oxygen therapy, complex medication needs and hospice. However, the majority of Adult Homes are operated by owners
with less training. It is important to discuss the range
of services and the experiences / training that allow that
level of care.
 Nursing Home
A Nursing Home is designed to provide total care. This can
be supervision up to skilled nursing care (PT, OT, IV
medications, and rehabilitation depending on the facility). Rooms are generally shared, and include community or bedside
meals. The environment is more institutional but able to
care for all aspects of elderly needs.
If you are in the process of making decisions
regarding residential options for an elderly or handicapped
individual, please feel free to call Cindy Sipes, RN at
(206) 618-5559. |
