Assisted Living Referral Services – Always Best Care of North Allegheny County

What is Memory Care?

Memory care is a type of long-term care geared toward those living with Alzheimer’s disease or another form of progressive-degenerative dementia. People who require a higher level of support than what is offered in assisted living, or who have advanced dementia that makes it unsafe to remain at home may find that memory care is their best long-term care option.

While nursing homes provide 24/7 skilled nursing care, memory care communities offer a safe, structured environment that’s specially designed to protect residents against wandering and self-harm. Memory care residents are generally free of any major health concerns aside from Alzheimer’s or dementia, but they can no longer safely live in their own homes.

Services Provided by Memory Care Communities

Each memory care community offers its own unique range of services. Some offer enhanced services including on-site physical, occupational and speech-language therapy, on-site physician’s services and escorts to local medical appointments. Most memory care communities offer the same services found in an assisted living setting such as:

• Some assistance with activities of daily living, including dressing, grooming and transferring
• Semi-private or private accommodations in an apartment-style suite
• Daily social and recreational activities, such as fitness classes, organized games, and escorted day trips
• A relatively low staff-to-resident ratio
• In-house medical alert systems
• Three daily meals served restaurant-style, plus snacks and beverages
• Housekeeping, personal laundry and linen services

What is Residential Care?

Residential care communities for the elderly, sometimes referred to as RCFE’s or board and care homes, are responsible for providing assisted living services to residents in a homelike and community setting, allowing them to maintain independence while continuing to receive nursing level of care as needed. Many residential care communities are designed for elderly people who do not need 24-hour nursing care but are unable to live independently. There are various residential care options available, depending on the needs of the individual.

Services Provided by Residential Care Communities

Aside from housing, residential care communities deliver care to senior residents along with assistance with daily living, activities, and general supervision as needed. Plans are custom-tailored to meet the needs of each individual and folded into the medical services provision of special care plans. Some of the ancillary services in a residential care community include, but are not limited to the following:

• Provision and oversight of personal and supportive services
• Assistance with self-administration of medication
• Bathing and grooming
• Provide three meals per day plus snacks
• Housekeeping and laundry
• Transportation or arrangement of transportation
• Activities
• Skilled nursing services as needed

What Is Independent Living?

Independent living communities are for adults, generally ages 55 and older, who don’t need assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) but are looking for a living environment that offers additional support, onsite amenities and socializing opportunities and activities. Amenities may include a community pool, clubhouse and planned social activities. In addition to rent, residents of these communities often pay a monthly fee for maintenance (such as landscaping) and utilities (such as cable and internet access).

Services Provided by Independent Living Communities

There are several factors to consider when looking for an independent living community that suits you or your loved one. For some, access to care, such as onsite nurses and transitional care opportunities, are important while others prefer the amenities of a retirement community.

If care offerings are important to you, be sure to look for readily available and reliable in-home medical assistance and an onsite clinic staffed by both physicians and nurse practitioners that provides a full spectrum of treatment, including (but not limited to) physical therapy, podiatry, optometry, audiology and nutrition counseling services. If you’re hoping to benefit from an active community setting and socialize with others, some independent living facilities offer social group activities, including card games, and organized entertainment.

What are Nursing Homes?

Nursing homes, also called skilled nursing facilities (SNF), provide a wide range of health and personal care services. Their services focus on medical care more than most assisted living facilities. These services typically include nursing care, 24-hour supervision, three meals a day, and assistance with everyday activities. Rehabilitation services, such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy, are also available.

Some people stay at a nursing home for a short time after being in the hospital. After they recover, they go home. However, most nursing home residents live there permanently because they have ongoing physical or mental conditions that require constant care and supervision.

A nursing home is normally the highest level of care for older adults outside of a hospital. Nursing homes provide what is called custodial care, providing help getting in and out of bed, and assistance with feeding, bathing, and dressing. However, nursing homes differ from other senior housing facilities in that they also provide a high level of medical care. A licensed physician supervises each patient’s care, and a nurse or other medical professional is almost always on the premises. Skilled nursing care is available on site, usually 24 hours a day. Other medical professionals, such as occupational or physical therapists, are also available. This allows the delivery of medical procedures and therapies on site that would not be possible in other housing.

Who pays for nursing home care?

While most families use a combination of personal savings, private insurance, and assets to cover senior living, some federal and state programs offer assistance to seniors paying for nursing homes. Resources vary by location, care needs, and financial eligibility.

Services provided by nursing homes

The higher level of care offered in a nursing home makes it an ideal choice by providing medical care in addition to companionship, help with ADLs, and on-site amenities.  Services may include the following:

• Ongoing palliative and preventative long-term care
• Prescription medication administration, including injections
• Specialized rehabilitative services, such as speech, occupational, physical, respiratory, cognitive, and vocational therapy
• Emergency and routine dental services
• Meal options that must meet the daily nutritional requirements and the unique dietary needs of each resident, including pureed and liquid diets
• Increased safety features and security benefits, including grab bars, ADA-accessible spaces, and alarmed doorways