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There are several senior
living and care options.
It can be daunting and
confusing when trying to
choose the right one for you
or your loved one. Choosing
depends on your needs and
personal preferences. What
services are out there to help
in the home? What’s the
difference between assisted
living and independent
living? What about nursing
facilities, where do they
come in? Knowing about the different senior living
alternatives and care options will help you make better
decisions about what might match your needs when
it comes to current or future long-term care planning.
Below we go over the different options out there within
this continuum of care for seniors.
Housing Options
INDEPENDENT LIVING
An independent living community is typically amulti-
unit senior housing development that provides full apart-
ment style living. There are several options when it comes
to independent living. There are moderately priced senior
apartments and subsidized apartment communities that
provide housing with no personal services. Then there are
retirement communities and continuing care retirement
communities that offer additional services depending on
the community these may include meals, housing keep-
ing, and activities. Another possibility is a 55+ housing
neighborhood. In Howard County these neighborhoods
are generally comprised of townhouse-style homes or pos-
sibly condominiums. In this instance the individual pays a
fee to have the outside of
the property maintained
but the owner must pro-
vide upkeep to the inte-
rior. Typically, personal
services are not provided.
ASSISTED LIVING
Assisted
living
facilities are for people
who need some assistance
and can no longer live
independently, but do not
require 24-hour nursing care. Assisted living facilities offer
help with activities of daily living (ADL’s), such as eating,
bathing, dressing, laundry, housekeeping, and assistance with
medications.These facilities are classified as small (1 to 16 beds
– group homes) and large (16 beds or over.) Individualized
care plans are developed to meet the needs of residents.
NURSING AND REHABILITATIVE CARE
A nursing home is a long-term care facility that offers
roomandboard andhealth care services, includingbasic and
skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services. Residents
of nursing homes require regular health monitoring and
ongoing care rather than intermittent nursing care. The
individual is generally at a point in the health state where
they need around the clock medical oversight and care with
activities of daily living (ADL’s). Most people whomove into
nursing homes have exhausted all other living possibilities
and must remain in the facility long-term. Some nursing
facilities also have designated units that serve individuals
that require more acute or specialized services such as
rehabilitation or skilled care following a hospitalization.
These services are generally provided for a short period of
time and may be reimbursed through Medicare.
Continuum of Care
FOR SENIORS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS
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H OWA R D C O U N T Y C A R E G I V E R G U I D E