article for pr
ARTICLE 1
For many older adults, advancing age means they'll face a time when living alone is no longer feasible. Certain aspects of daily living become more challenging, and if you find that you often need assistance to do things like caring for your home and yourself, it might be time to consider moving into a senior assisted living facility. But what does that mean, and what can you expect? Here, we explore the basics of what you need to know about assisted living facilities and how they can help older adults with difficult tasks while offering social contact and activities that stimulate and support.
A Paradise in the Valley, a state-licensed Residential Care Facility for the Elderly located in Northridge California provides personalized care and companionship to elderly residents. Our home has been designed to provide a loving, peaceful and caring atmosphere for our seniors.
The nurturing environment at A Paradise in the Valley Senior Living Northridge allows for a pleasant day-to-day life for every resident. Each one of our caregivers is fully trained to properly look after seniors. Our team is experienced, attentive, and certified to ensure ease and comfort throughout the residents’ lives.
article 2
For many older adults, advancing age means they'll face a time when living alone is no longer feasible. Certain aspects of daily living become more challenging, and if you find that you often need assistance to do things like caring for your home and yourself, it might be time to consider moving into a senior assisted living facility. But what does that mean, and what can you expect? Here, we explore the basics of what you need to know about assisted living facilities and how they can help older adults with difficult tasks while offering social contact and activities that stimulate and support.
Depending on the state and the individual facility, the definition of assisted living can mean different things, and it may go by other names such as residential care settings or personal care homes. By and large, the concept of assisted living is simply that: Older adults move to a facility where they can receive assistance with the daily tasks of living. Whatever the assisted living definition is in your region, these facilities can be large or small, privately owned or corporate or not-for-profit or for-profit. But they all offer some level of care or assistance to older adults who are unable to manage the tasks of living on their own, such as cooking, bathing or toileting.
An assisted living home can provide a wide array of services, says Monique Eliezer, chief officer of sales, marketing and strategies for Ingleside, the umbrella organization for three not-for-profit life plan communities in the metropolitan District of Columbia area.
This community is a great fit for seniors who need a variety of options along the continuum of care. Residents have an option of studio and one-bedroom apartment homes with fully outfitted kitchenettes. Spacious bathrooms with walk-in showers provide both safety and convenience, and wall-to-wall carpeting and custom window treatments provide a warm, home-like atmosphere. Personal services, complimentary transportation, and on-site barber and beauty salons offer added convenience. Other personal services include:
- RNs and personal care attendants available 24/7
- Monthly health screenings, including blood pressure and weight
- 24-hour security and emergency response system
- Weekly housekeeping and laundry services
Understanding Assisted Living
Assisted living usa generally allows more independence and costs less than nursing home care, but is more expensive than an independent living facility. The assisted living setting is similar to a personal residence, compared to a nursing home's hospital-like setting. Assisted living is suitable for individuals who cannot manage on their own but want to maintain as much independence as possible.
Insurance company Genworth estimates the national median cost of a private one-bedroom space in an assisted living facility at $51,600 per year, as of 2020.1 Costs vary depending on the level of care required, location, and housing type. Arrangements can be made on a month-to-month basis or longer term. Services may be all-inclusive or charge for extras such as meals and housekeeping.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Assisted living provides skilled help and nursing for older people and people with disabilities in a residential setting.
- They are designed for people who want some degree of independence and access to help as needed.
- Residents may stay for as little as a month or long-term.
- Those who need assistance with ADLs can opt for in-home, assisted living, or nursing home care.
A Paradise in the Valley is committed to providing seniors with top-notch care and resources. We offer a wide range of services from comprehensive health screenings, family support groups, and access to health care professionals.
Our holistic approach to wellness, such as providing healthy notorious meals and daily walks with exercise ensure our senior residents are enjoying a comfortable quality life.
Having worked with seniors who have had Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Disease we have developed a large network of health care professionals such as physicians, nurses, physical therapists, pharmacists, hospice, and home health who are always available to provide quality care.
assisted Living Facilities, or ALFs, are a step down from Skilled Nursing Facilities, or SNFs. SNFs must offer 24-hour skilled (read certified and/or licensed staff at all times) and ALFs can get away with no skilled staff in some states, but usually have at least an LPN on duty 8-12 hours daily. ALFs usually hire "care aides" rather than CNAs (certified nursing assistants) and, in many states, all it takes to become a care aide is a need for a job, or maybe a 5-hour course.
Most ALFs offer:
- Most have at least a kitchenette, although few offer stoves/ovens (fire danger). The bathroom usually offers a walk-in shower (wheelchair access), and some offer balconies. Apartments are generally unfurnished, and Residents are invited to move in any of their possessions that fit, provided they do not provoke the Fire Marshall.
- Assistance is limited; because these are not certified or licensed staff in most cases, transfers (help to get up or around) is usually limited to what is called "stand-by assist"; I'll stand there and lend an arm for balance, but I am in no way lifting or doing more than guiding you. Care staff may also provide assistance with dressing and other Activities of Daily Living (ADLs). In some states, care staff also do the housekeeping of apartments, and in others, that is given to an actual housekeeping team.
Assisted living planning for aging parents requires a multifaceted commitment to keeping their quality of life elevated at every turn. That’s exactly what our team aims to do at Rhoda Goldman Plaza. Professional staff is readily available to help residents with daily tasks, such as light cleaning, chores, cooking, and adhering to dietary restrictions as needed. Not having to worry about the basics can free up time for focusing on more fun and engaging activities that residents deserve to enjoy during this season of life.
Our approach to assisted living for your parents in San Francisco integrates ample options for connecting at social events, which helps residents to truly feel like they are part of a larger community. We prioritize recreational opportunities that are social, while also placing a firm focus on continued health. When you’re planning assisted living for your parents, it’s important to look for a place that balances physical, educational, and cultural programs. At Rhoda Goldman Plaza, we’re proud to regularly provide engaging lectures and programs that promote a culture of lifelong learning options.
When it comes to health and safety, our superior standards give residents and their families the peace of mind they deserve. Our team diligently helps residents to manage their medication. We adhere to strict guidelines to promote a safe living environment, too. There’s no need to worry about transportation when you choose Rhoda Goldman Plaza. We provide the flexible transportation that residents require alongside on-hand healthcare services to make sure that every detail and safety standard is accounted for.
The best thing about A Paradise in the Valley’s unique approach to elder care is its focus on individualized experiences that provide comfort and familiarity with staff members who are always available, attentive and ready to lend help when needed most – no matter how big or small your need may be!
By creating a family like atmosphere, our seniors create profound friendships and feel the warmth of home. Group or individual activities such as gardening, playing music, game nights (or dancing!), holiday parties ensure that Seniors are enjoying life at high standard quality. Our qualified staff provide 24-hour care which includes medication management, socializing, and assisting with active daily living
ALF is expensive- not as expensive as Skilled Nursing Facilities, but still pricey. The more you offer your Residents, the more you can charge, but the more it costs you. The more it costs you, the easier one six-month downturn in the census (butts in beds) can put you out of business.
Now, the more you offer, the more you can charge, true enough, but you need to be located, then, in an area where seniors who might use your services are willing to spend $8 to $10K a month for an L-shaped room with kitchenette and closet, maybe an extra alcove-ish room with a door for an extra bedroom. Trust me when I tell you seniors who have that kind of money to spend each and every month are going to stay in their home with home health before they move to a glorified hotel.
Medicare doesn’t pay for ALFs; Medicaid rarely pays for ALFs. LTC insurance doesn’t like paying for ALFs and relatively few seniors have it, anyway. So you need at least 80% of your building capacity in seniors in your facilities are willing to pay what you need to make a month.
Remember, the more you offer, the more you can charge, but the more you will pay.
.
I wish you well, I truly do, and if you have deep enough pockets to actually overcome the steep business curves in this field, let me know. The least I can do is consult for you. PS: Consider a non-profit model wherein you get a decent salary, but profits are all plowed back into the business. If you use investors, you are soon providing dividends on the backs of your Residents.
DEMENTIA CARE
The aging process is different from one person to another. However, for patients with cognitive decline like Alzheimer’s and Dementia activities of daily living become more difficult and overwhelming. Since dementia and Alzheimer’s affects the brain’s ability to properly think and function, taking care of those affected by it can be quite the stressor. , we make it a priority to provide comfort and enhance the lives of our seniors who are suffering from Dementia by assisting them in daily activities such as eating, bathing, dressing. Our Dementia certified staff will provide you peace of mind while providing care for your loved one with dignity and expert capability. It’s an unfortunate truth, but a lot of seniors will find themselves in a position where living independently is no longer the most viable option. Getting older means that certain tasks get harder and that we simply don’t have the energy to take care of a few of the more mundane aspects of our daily life. As much as we would like to, living on our own or having our relatives take care of us might not be the best thing for us. Having qualified people to look after you, handling your manutention and your necessary errands can help you live a fuller life and make better use of your time. Assisted living is the way to go if you are looking to relieve yourself from the stress of daily life.
Having worked with seniors who have had Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Disease we have developed a large network of health care professionals such as physicians, nurses, physical therapists, pharmacists, hospice, and home health who are always available to provide quality care.
Being too ill is certainly one consideration, but there are others as well:
- Seniors who have lost a “life partner” and don’t want to be alone.
- Seniors who have raised their families in a large home, that is too expensive and too exhausting to maintain in their senior years.
- Seniors who may opt to give up the “Snowy” life and relocate to a warmer climate where they can be active in winter with others their own age.
- Moving out of an independent home for the purpose of being able to socialize.
- Children of the seniors who are concerned about them not remembering to take medications or being alone, possibly suffering accidents etc, may talk them into a senior living complex.
Many “Assisted Living” facilities offer a variety of services to elders. From meals, bedding and meals to movies, entertainment and transportation to doctor appointments & shopping. Matching the needs of the Senior with the level of assistance provided is an important consideration.
It is difficult, however, to definitively say much more at this time due to all of the variables that are central to assisted living. Assisted living facilities are credentialed by and subject to the regulations of the state in which they operate. This provides opportunity for disparity in regulation, standards, etc.. among assisted living facilities across the country.
Finally, assisted living facilities can offer a diverse range of services- from mainly custodial (non-medical) services all the way up to skilled nursing services. Naturally, the professionals rendering services at either end of this spectrum will have very different credentials. It is important to note here that custodial services are not covered by private insurance or Medicare, and potentially only covered by Medicaid once all of the patient's assets have been seized by the state. At one point in time, a long-term care insurance industry tried to develop but could not remain viable for a number of reasons. Some of these no longer available or scarce plans cover the custodial services and some do not- the very important implication here is to comprehensively understand the terms of any plan you may have that you believe will cover these services. A final important takeaway from all of this is that the potential exists for the long-term care insurance industry to make a comeback under different circumstances if enough patients are not eligible for Medicaid coverage to foot the bill for these services.
For the most accurate, up-to-date information, I recommend following trade magazines like Modern Healthcare and Healthcare Executive to learn how the industry is evolving over time.
ARTICLE 8
Assisted living provides a senior with as much or as little assistance as he wants/needs. These communities often have dining halls available for those who can't or don't want to cook; housekeeping periodically or regularly; shuttle buses to take residents grocery shopping, to the mall, doctors’ appointments, etc. There are also often activities happening at the clubhouse - everything from knitting clubs to political chats to healthcare-related workshops. Anything the senior can't or doesn't want to do, such as housekeeping, laundry, grocery shopping, etc can be obtained through the facility (at an additional fee). Normally, a staff member will check on any resident who misses a regular activity ir who hasn't been seen in a day or two.
A skilled nursing facility is just what the name implies. A professional medical staff cares for residents who need such care. Many are bedridden. All need medications, treatments, etc that can only be administered by licensed medical professionals. This is generally the last stop for the residents.
There are lots of factors to consider and some may depend on the needs of the individual to be living in a facility.
Look for a continuum of care levels. Some assisted living facilities are barely more than glorified mature housing for active adults, and can’t provide as much assistance as other facilities.
Look for security. In an active assisted-living facility, people are always coming and going - residents, friends, families, guests, workers, prospective clients, etc. Drive around the place - are side doors left unattended and propped open? That’s a security risk.
Look at the residents. Do they seem happy? As active and engaged as possible? Or are they just hanging around, biding their time, reminiscing about better days in their past? Are there activities that the residents can pick and choose from? Is there a mix of activities that are likely to be of interest for you (or whomever you are choosing the facility for)?
Look at the workers. Do they seem to be genuinely happy and caring? Or is it just a job to them? While you might expect to see some staff turnover, you also want to see some stability in staffing as well. See if you can find reviews from the employee perspective online (glassdoor is one such site that can be eye-opening).
If it’s got a nursing home component, read the reviews from Medicare on that. Get a sense of whether they tend to have multiple significant violations or just the occasional minor violation. Also, check with the local board of health for kitchen/health violations.
If choosing a facility for someone else, and you plan to visit the person frequently, you might also want to be sure it is relatively close to either where you live or close to where you work, so that you can do “drop-in” checks. When I needed to find an assisted living for my mom, I found one that was about five minutes away from where I was working. I was often able to drop in during my lunch break (the timing of which varied), or before/after work. It’s safe to say that the staff soon realized that I could literally show up unannounced anytime from about 7 am to 8 pm any day of the week and I think that helped keep the level of care up.
A Paradise in the Valley is an innovative senior care community that provides quality, personalized services. Our home-like environment brings seniors a feeling of coziness and peace of mind to their families by providing high levels of dignity for our patients.
The best thing about A Paradise in the Valley’s unique approach to elder care is its focus on individualized experiences that provide comfort and familiarity with staff members who are always available, attentive and ready to lend help when needed most – no matter how big or small your need may be!
By creating a family-like atmosphere, our seniors create profound friendships and feel the warmth of home. Group or individual activities such as gardening, playing music, game nights (or dancing!), holiday parties ensure that Seniors are enjoying life at high standard quality. Our qualified staff provide 24-hour care which includes medication management, socializing and assisting with active daily living
Assisted Living is for residents who can do a lot for themselves, but still need some help each day with either bathing, dressing, eating, or medication management. They can live in private apartments in a facility that is staffed with aides under the supervision of a nurse.
Independent Living is not about age at all, except for the fact that most Independent Living communities have a bottom cut-off age in order to create a homogeneous community. Older people like to live with other older people, and Independent Living is more like a hotel or a cruise ship than a nursing home. Residents live in private apartments ranging from studio apartments to 2 BR/2BA. The difference between Independent Living and a hotel is that in Independent Living, management hires and supervises a professional Activities Director, a Director of Dining, a Personal Trainer in the gym, a Director of Transportation, etc. to provide the residents with on-site services. Different Independent Living communities offer different amenities and charge different rents. Some facilities require that residents purchase their apartment, others rent.
I have always wanted to live in a community, and Independent Living fills the bill for me! Basically, it’s older people enjoying living to the fullest.
ARTICLE 11
The ASSISTED LIVING facility is different than a memory care facility even though some assisted living facilities do work on memory issues. first, your parents have to want to go. you cannot do it against their will. also, it costs quite a bit and some help can be had with that if any of your parents were VETS. then what you do is visit several places in your area and talk to them and get their brochures. then pick one and meet up with their office to make arrangements for your parents to have a room. then hire someone to move some of their things into the room…some facilities have it where there are two bedrooms and or one they are all different so it's important to go see them and price each of them. find out about the food there as well. then have a date set to move them in. In most places, you can move their furniture that will fit into their area into it and their clothes, etc.
Location, size and facility staff/care/atmosphere are all critical components ton consider in choosing an assisted living community to live together. First off, based on your description it sounds like finding an assisted living community would greatly benefit your parents as well as their children. Secondly, cost is a consideration and getting an accurate assumption of rates that will be charged for your parents is important when looking at places for your parents to live. I encourage you to have a detailed summary of their daily needs (ADL's) that each require - most assisted living charges a basic room/unit price plus a fee for services provided to the resident. Also private pay residences vs public-pay Medicaid residences are two different universes entirely.
Location is obvious but if you plan to visit or if you parents have a social network currently then proximity is always valuable. Usually 3 miles is considered the limit that seniors move other than to move next to their children.
Size is a critical consideration. What type of community and building type do they want to live in? What type of ratio of staff to residents makes everyone (family, children) feel best? Are they interested in a more home-like facility, single-story with family style kitchen and common areas or are they looking for a more urban, large building - with suites, commercial kitchen, and multiple floors. Size often dictates what types of social interactions will incur, the routine of the residents, types of activities and atmosphere.
Facility Staff/Care/Atmosphere. This is often the most important, but might be the biggest intangible, objective measure. You know it when you see it. You have to like and meet the administrator and as much of the staff as possible. Learn about their backgrounds in the industry and why they are care staff for the elderly. Having good caregivers that care for your parents outweighs everything else I've written. Visit multiple times to facilities that you like to see the shift changes. I also encourage my potential residents and their families to come for a meal or even spend a week or two in respite care or adult day care (if they have it) to get the feel of the facility.
ARTICLE 12
DEMENTIA CARE IN LOS ANGELES IS IDEAL
But before you can transfer your loved ones to a facility that specializes in caring for people with dementia, make sure that you have consulted their doctors about it. However, it’s most likely that their doctors would agree to it, especially if the patients’ dementia has progressed.
Caring for your loved ones with dementia can be taxing. It will take a lot of your time. If you don’t have much time to care for them, then it’s probably best for you and for your loved ones to consider this type of facility.
If your mother, for instance, is the one with dementia, you may think that you’re abandoning your duty should you decide to place her to a dementia home. But it’s not about duty you’re talking of here. Rather, it’s about the health of your mother.
Dementia patients require 24/7 care. You can’t just give your mother one hour of your time per day to take care of her needs. Instead, you will need more than an hour each day to ensure that your mother receives the care that she requires. You may even have to stop working just to give her your 100% attention.
If it’s not possible, though, then you should consider putting her in a dementia care facility, like the ones offered by Paradise in the Valley. It will be the best decision you can make for your mother.
Paradise in the Valley can give your mother round-the-clock supervision that you can’t provide if you decide to keep her in your home.
Your mother needs more care and support as her symptoms are worsening. And our facility can meet her needs better than you can.
It’s a tough decision. That’s why you need to talk to the entire family before you decide. It has to be a family decision and everyone must agree to it.
What we offer here at Paradise in the Valley is 24-hour support from our trained staff. It means that if your mother needs anything in the middle of the night, our staff will be there to assist her.
Your mother will be in a safe place. But don’t worry as she can continue her social activities. She can socialize with other residents to help her cope with her cognitive disease.
To know more about our dementia care in Los Angeles, please give us a call at (818) 698-2911.
ARTICLE 13
WHY ALZHEIMER’S CARE FACILITY IN LOS ANGELES IS BETTER THAN HOME CARE?
Caring for your loved one with this type of disease can be overwhelming. If you pay a home help, it can be taxing to your finances, especially if you need 24-hour care. Furthermore, if you are not strong enough physically, then you should consider a care facility. Keep in mind that caring for this type of patient can be physically demanding. Your loved one needs help in getting in and out of the bed, shower, or bath. They can even be aggressive.
Taking care of your loved one with this type of disease can put you at risk of depression. Although looking after your loved one suffering from this condition can be rewarding, it is also demanding. You might no longer have time to socialize. Furthermore, your loved one may not be safe at home. They may put themselves at risk, like leaving pans on the stove or gas on. They can also be prone to slipping and falling. Then, they may get lost when they go out. When you place someone at an Alzheimer’s care facility, like Paradise in the Valley, they will get round-the-clock supervision.
It’s not easy to decide whether or not to put someone in a nursing care facility. However, if you let them stay home and you can’t give them 100% supervision, then you are only putting them at risk of hurting themselves. Deciding to place your loved one in this type of facility can be a tough one. But if you do, you are giving your loved one good quality of life. An Alzheimer’s facility can offer a customized treatment program. Plus, they will get 24-hour support.
ARTICLE 14
An Assisted Living Facility isn’t required to have a nurse on staff. It is not a medical format in any way. It is there to assist those who have difficulties is doing some activities of daily living such as cooking, laundry, gardening, housekeeping. Plus personal needs such as help with a shower, reaching their back, or their feet without falling. (NOT that an aide can prevent a fall!! They may be in the right place at the right time, but no aide is ever with a resident 24/7, and on the right side, in the right position, and foresee a misstep…) The aides can deliver dinner plates to tables, make beds, remind a resident to take their meds (but cannot, under any circumstances, give the resident their medicine!! Only a nurse, physician, or pharmacist can dispense medication! The helper would be breaking the law. Once an Assisted Living Resident can no longer take their meds (most often they only have to open a foil top and pour them into their hand or into a bowl), it is time for them to go to a nursing home.
If a resident can no longer get from place to place safely (in a wheelchair is fine, as long as they’re safe), if they can’t take care of the most basic needs such as feeding themselves, communicating, living peacefully in a community environment + others, it’s also time for a nursing home.
This doesn’t have to be a bad or sad thing. Many Assisted Living Facilities are connected to a nursing home, and the resident simply thinks they’re getting a new bedroom. Not many changes for higher functioning residents besides the vitals. They’ll even find some friends they hadn’t seen in a few months.
A Dr being at most nursing homes is also rare.
It is a nursing home. It is filled with nurses and nursing aides.
There is a Medical Director for every nursing home that may visit as little as once a month for 8–10 hours, but is always available by phone.
Truly, this is okay. A nurse is capable of doing any life-saving procedures, she/he knows when to make an appt for a resident, knows when an ambulance needs to be called. A doctor can do little more at the nursing home itself. If a patient falls, he cannot do x-rays. If someone has a suspected UTI, the nurse draws blood, and it’s picked up daily just like any Dr's office.
The Dr comes monthly because every resident needs a physical every 6 months, so he has them divided throughout the year. Not that the Medical Director sees every resident, as many keep their long-time GP, and family takes the resident to the Dr. bringing back the “physical” paperwork for his or her chart, and the nurses following any instructions the Dr has ordered.
ARTICLE 15
This is a tough question to answer. Our mom was over 90 when we finally decided she should not be in her home alone. We found a lovely facility and hoping that she would be well cared we moved her. Surprisingly she adjusted and liked it. There was great nursing, other people to interact with, good food, and entertainment. She was not alone. She even upped her daily exercise by walking on the facility’s walking track. However, she slowly became less active and spent more time in her room. She finally passed peacefully. As I look back on her experience I have decided that when I can no longer function alone in my home, that I too will opt for a senior nursing facility. My husband also was in a home and my experience with him was very similar.
I would suggest that you carefully research facilities in your area. You do not want to be hours away from your loved one when you are needed. You for certain do not want to drop your relative in a home and then disappear. I met too many lonely seniors whose families, or perhaps they had no family near, did not ever visit.
You have to make this decision carefully, analyzing costs, convenience, and the health and mobility of your loved ones. It is a tough decision. I hope you are successful in finding the best way to care for your senior.
Due to dynamic lifestyles and busy schedules, many families turn to trustworthy external partners to take expert care of their senior members who are in need of daily medical assistance. While hospitals or nursing homes are one’s first choice, their overwhelming clinical environment, risk of infection, and lack of personalized care can cause stress to the elderly.
A fragmented and sub-par ecosystem further fosters a genuine fear of inattentiveness. The lack of trained caregivers makes matters tougher.
We decided to intervene and create an ecosystem that provides care, companionship, and comfort to recuperating seniors. The result of our endeavor is Antara Care Homes, where we offer exceptional primary health care and emergency response services, curated engagement calendars, and nutritionally assisted meals in a homely environment, which promotes holistic wellness and healing.
Our care homes include thoughtfully designed individual suites with shared common facilities such as dining spaces, activity spaces, and lounge areas, well-equipped with senior-specific details.
PRE AND POST OPERATIVE / HOSPITALISATION CARE
Long-term care is designed for seniors who need constant medical and nursing supervision, as well as help in managing other aspects of their daily lives. We offer a wide array of services like engagement activities to keep them physically active and cognitively stimulated, supervised exercises, rehabilitation and wellness therapies, and emergency response system to ensure their overall well-being.
My caveat: Before going forward please note that my personal experience with this and Group Homes is in the world of intellectual disabilities, I do have some exposure to residential options for those mental illnesses without the comorbid condition of intellectual disability. I would also note that some of these changes by the state you are in. Each state assigns different meanings to a group home, ALH, and a ton of other items that go into residential care, which can be frustrating when moving from state to state.
When placing a loved one into either a Group Home or an ALH (Assisted Living Home) there are some requirements. The government requires that an individual be placed in the least restrictive environment (LRE) regardless of whether it is for physical disabilities, intellectual disabilities or mental illness. The higher the level of care the more of an individual’s liberties are restricted. So there is a lot of considerations that go into that. Is the individual capable of taking your psychiatric medications regularly and on time? Is the individual capable of a certain level of self-care, feeding, cleaning, etc.? Because of LRE, they do a fairly extensive evaluation before placement to determine the level of care the individual needs, which usually gives them a picture of what type of care the individual needs, or conversely, how independently the individual is capable of being.
Group homes are for those who need the highest level of care. Supervision of medications, help with daily living skills, paying bills, transportation, etc. The residents typically have shared common areas (kitchen, living room, bathrooms) and the group home usually provides furniture for the individual’s bedroom. There is round-the-clock care by trained individuals who make sure needs are met and safety of residents is protected.
Then there are group homes which are frequently interchangeable in a name for an ALH. These are homes with individuals who can be left alone for several hours and are capable of calling for help if there is a need. People living in this type of group home have been determined to be able to participate in their own care to a greater degree (daily living tasks, cook/clean, etc) and the residents can even participate in a day program or maybe a part-time job.
An ALH can also be more like living on your own with resources available when needed where someone checks in on you on a less regular basis, but there is someone keeping tabs on you.
The other difference I would mention is that with all the above-mentioned types and levels of care, there are different sizes of the facilities. Group homes and ALHs can both vary in size significantly. The more independent you are the more likely you’ll be living with only a couple of other individuals and sometimes even by yourself. Group homes as a condition on the cost of care ( for more intensive care)you will likely have larger numbers of individuals in one home/facility. There are state requirements as to the number of caregivers that must be present based on the total number of individuals living in the home.
I hope that helps somewhat. Making decisions like these is really hard on family members, even when you know it’s in the best interest of your loved one. I wish you all the best.
Comments
Post a Comment