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3/07/2012 @ 10:21AM |298 views
Not Your Grandmother’s Assited Living Facility
Assisted living and other residential care facilities are looking more and more like nursing homes. About one in four provide skilled nursing services, between half and two-thirds offer case management, and– at least among larger facilities—two-thirds offer their residents physical or occupational therapy. More than one-third of residents will make an emergency visit to the hospital and more than one in four will be admitted to a hospital during the course of a year.
Almost 42 percent of facility residents have some form of dementia, and about one-third of them are being cared for either in specialty homes or in designated units of larger institutions. One-third have heart disease and half suffer from three or more chronic illnesses. These are just some of the findings from a recent study by the federal National Center for Health Statistics.
For consumers, this trend significantly expands their care options beyond moving to a nursing facility or staying at home. But it also means they need to be very careful in their choices: If they move into a residential care facility expecting high levels of assistance, they need to be very sure the operator is equipped to deliver that service. Wood paneling and flowers in the lobby are not enough.
Likewise, owners of care facilities need to recognize that a new generation of residents needs more assistance with activities of daily living and greater medical support. The days when assisted living facilities were run like hotels for old people are long over. However, operators must find a way to provide these additional services without slipping into the kind of medical model that consumers resist.
Finally, Medicaid, which has been reluctant to finance stays in residential care facilities, needs to start thinking more creatively about the niche they serve. And government needs to find a regulatory middle ground that allows these facilities to operate creatively while protecting increasingly vulnerable residents.
The new NCHS study looked at a wide range of facilities, from small homes with 4-10 beds to large 100+ bed institutions. In 2010, about 31,100 facilities owned about 972,000 licensed beds. However, they served only about 733,000 residents, for a vacancy rate of about 25 percent.
Until recently, these care homes have been largely financed by individuals paying out of pocket. But the recent expansion of Medicaid home and community based waiver programs is changing that mix. The study found that about 20 percent of residents are receiving Medicaid assistance for their long-term care services (but not for room and board).
About half of the care homes have 10 residents or less and only about 2,100, or 7 percent, have more than 100 beds. However, almost a third of all assisted living residents live in those big facilities. Residential homes are overwhelmingly for-profit (about 82 percent) and about four in ten are run by large chains.
With average fees running about half that of nursing facilities and with an environment that is often more attractive to seniors (and to their adult children), residential care facilities are become a more popular choice for consumers. But as their population of sicker residents in need of more assistance grows, operators must find ways to adjust their models of care. And consumers must learn what services these facilities can, and cannot, offer.
When people hear the words long term care, often a feeling of discomfort arises. What does long term care mean in Durango, Colorado? How can I afford it? These are just a couple of the questions people have when considering their long term care options.
It is no surprise that most people want to stay in their home for as long as possible. Our homes are where we are most comfortable. Many seniors have lived in there for decades and that is where they would like to stay. However, as people age, their homes often times are not a safe option of living. They may be too large to manage. Also, stairs become a challenge, as well as, a safety hazard. Also if a person requires more care, it may be too costly to have in-home care.
When staying at home is no longer a safe option, assisted living or nursing care come into play. While nursing homes are necessary for some people, there are now many levels of care that allows a broader scope of options for our aging loved ones. Read the rest of this entry »
re: the Wall Street Journal release dated: February 23, 2011
respecting their editor… Sue Shellenbarger at sue.shellenbarger@wsj.com
When the time came for Kathy Peel’s mother and father to consider moving into an assisted-living facility, Ms. Peel tried reasoning with them, citing examples of friends who were happy they had made the move.
Morris and Kathryn Weeks helped write a ‘strategic plan’ before deciding to move to a senior-living community in Memphis.
When that didn’t work, she took a business approach. Ms. Peel and her husband Bill convened a conference at her parents’ kitchen table in Memphis and helped them write a three-page “strategic plan.” Her parents, Morris and Kathryn Weeks —both retired businesspeople in their late 80s—joined in, talking about their goals and helping list dozens of pros and cons to staying in their home.
Among the pros the family agreed on were the Weeks’ “positive attitude” and desire to share care for each other. But the cons loomed large, including the fact that no family members lived nearby to provide emergency care in a crisis. Read the rest of this entry »
Assisted living is not an end-all decision that is forced upon people in every single situation. In many cases, it is actually a choice that is embraced because it offers so many different advantages and benefits to living alone in the later years of life. Too often, children feel like they are forcing their parents into a situation where they don’t want to be if they bring up the topic of assisted living facilities. The reality is that many older adults actually have a desire to become part of these communities because it gives them a better way to enjoy their later years.
When it comes to choosing the right path, you have to think about a few things. Here are some considerations to help you determine whether this is an option and if it is the right one for your loved one:
Read the rest of this entry »
Many people have a negative perception of nursing homes. They envision an institution where the residents are drugged-up and drooling. Such facilities are a thing of the past. Increasing state regulation and demand for quality care has shifted the industry to make it more inviting and tailored to meet the needs of the patient/resident. Read the rest of this entry »
… part 3 of this 4-part series -
When you recognize that your loved-one’s elderly safety may be compromised at home, independent or assisted living is next on the radar.
Research what types of facilities are offered in your area. Some may be smaller group homes, while others have a resort feel to them. Find out what services are offered and what Nursing home levels of care are available.
For example, Sunshine Gardens Senior Community offers independent and assisted living. If residents need additional services, the sister facility called the Country Home, offers more care. Many independent and assisted living facilities provide 24 hour oversight, offer meals, activities, and services.
However, make sure they include nursing care. Home health agencies may be used to again fill the gaps by providing some nursing care and physical therapy. Read the rest of this entry »
… part 2 of this 4-part series -
Risk factors for seniors living at home range from leaving the stove on to calling 9-1-1 proclaiming they lost their car keys. Not so funny, dementia or daily “forgetfulness” is very common with the elderly. The degree of the memory issues should be evaluated carefully. Does it pose a health or safety risk to your loved one or others around them? If the answer to this question is yes, then steps need to be taken in order to ensure their overall well-being.
If you live in the same community as your senior loved- one, you may work out a schedule that includes checking-in on them. You’ll probably want to have other family members, friends, or neighbors help with this. The downside is that you can not always be there in the event of an emergency and it can certainly get very wearing on your personal life. Keep in mind; this also may be a short-term remedy as your loved-one continues to age. Read the rest of this entry »
… part 1 of this 4-part series -
Watching your senior loved-ones age is never easy. They may struggle to get around, forget names, skip meals, and even forego personal hygiene. What do you do? What is the best choice for mom or dad? There are nursing homes, assisted living, independent living, long term elderly care, and home health care options. These choices may seem overwhelming and endless. In fact, there are hundreds of Colorado nursing homes and assisted living facilities in your own backyard.
Step back and evaluate the situation. What are the risk factors facing your senior loved ones? Many include: falling, mismanaging medications and nutritional deficiencies. Seniors are at risk… and if ignored, will end up in a dangerous situation or even in a long term senior citizen assisted living facility or a nursing home before their time. Read the rest of this entry »
Are you finding yourself on a journey of providing more and more care-giving for your elderly parent or senior friend? It might even be an everyday part of your current life…
If so, you’ve no doubt enjoyed having the bragging rights about your mother’s, father’s or friend’s health and mental clarity. They’ve always been independent and always cared for themselves. Now, you may find that things are slowly beginning to change as the wheels of time move ever more further forward.
Are you noticing the factors that are affecting your communications, not the least of which could be your elderly loved one(s) memory lapse along with their hearing loss? Like, maybe your mom is forgetting that on Mother’s Day you always exchanged gifts and cards. Or, maybe your father just called you to ask when your birthday was. Or, your elderly friend is forgetting when s/he had their last meal.
Read the rest of this entry »
The Dehydrated Elderly
Believe it or not… Dehydration is one of the most frequent causes for hospitalization in our older population. Not only do warm temperatures contribute… but, dry indoor living conditions also increase body heat that forces them to excrete fluids in order to stay cool, thus creating a need for more hydration.
In fact, the elderly need up to 10 percent more fluids. On average, the adult elderly person should intake at least six, eight-ounce glasses of water per day. Read the rest of this entry »
Howard Gleckman Contributor 
More Evidence That Doctor Fees Are A Big Reason Medicine Costs More In The U.S. 
Todd Hixon Contributor 
