Types of Senior Housing and Care
Active Adult
Community: Usually offer a choice of spacious homes rather than apartments,
often with a clubhouse in which a variety of activities are planned for
residents. Monthly fees may cover services such as housekeeping and
maintenance, but meals are usually not included.
Apartments: Apartments
for seniors who are totally independent. Meal service, activity, programs and
services usually aren't included.
CCRC: Continuing
Care Retirement Community. Full service communities offering a long-term
contract that provides for a continuum of care, including retirement, assisted
living and nursing services, all on one campus.
Retirement: Totally
independent living with amenities such as meals, transportation and activities
usually included in a monthly fee.
Assisted
Living: Multi-unit facilities that provide assistance with medications and
daily activities such as bathing and dressing.
Residential: Usually single
family homes licensed to provide assistance with medications, bathing and
dressing.
Group Home: Serves
the Elderly and Disabled who do not require constant medical supervision but
cannot live independently. These persons may be on medication but must be self-compliant
and ambulatory (assistance such as wheelchair or walker allowed).
Alzheimer’s: Facilities offering
specialized programs for residents suffering from Alzheimer's Disease or other forms of memory loss. These programs can be
offered by Residential, Assisted Living or Nursing facilities.
Nursing/Rehab: Facilities
licensed to provide skilled nursing services under the supervision of licensed
nurses.
Congregate Care:
Usually single family homes licensed to provide assistance with medication,
bathing and dressing. Also, licensed to provide skilled
nursing services under the supervision of licensed nurses.
Sub-Acute: Facilities licensed to
provide nursing services, but specializing in higher levels of care.
Rehab: Comprehensive
rehabilitation services include inpatient and outpatient treatment designed to
restore and strengthen abilities.
Home Care: Includes
both companies that provide licensed health care services in the home and
companies who provide non-medical assistance with such tasks as bathing,
dressing, meal preparation and transportation. Medicare and Medicaid provide
financial assistance in some cases.
Hospice: Hospice
care may be provided in the home or a senior care facility. Services can
include pain management and a variety of emotional, Spiritual and physical
support issues. Medicare, and Medicaid provide financial
assistance, in some cases.
Day
Care: Various
programs provide a range of geriatric day services, including social,
nutrition, nursing, and rehabilitation. Not all programs provide all services.
Sitter Service: Services
of sitters, aides or private duty nurses or therapists in the home, hospital or
residential facility on a private pay basis. May include
personal care assistance, grooming, medication supervision, light housekeeping,
transportation, nursing care or therapy.
Care Mangement: Offer advisory services addressing a wide range
of senior issues, such as selecting a senior residence, choosing in-home care
providers, and various financial options. Typically care managers evaluate senior's
situation with regard to health needs, housing choices and financial needs and
then provide a recommended care plan.
Behavioral Health: These are
usually hospital-based programs that provide a range of geriatric psychiatric
services in either an in-patient outpatient basis. Medicare & Medicaid (or Medi-CaI) provide financial assistance in some cases.
Physician Care: Medical
professionals who offer health services or referrals to match the special needs
of patients.