Long Term Care and Senior Living Options

Memory care is a form of long-term residential care designed to meet the care needs of those experiencing cognitive decline. Memory care provides:

• Specialized care and programs for those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia or cognitive impairment.
• A stand alone facility or a unit within a tiered senior living community that is staffed with attention to a higher level of care.
• A restrictive, secured care environment.
• 24 hour/day staff trained to attend to personal and health care needs of residents.

Skilled nursing facilities, also known as nursing homes, are licensed healthcare residences for individuals who require a higher level of medical care than can be provided in an assisted living facility. Skilled nursing facilities provide:

• Assistance with health conditions requiring constant supervision on an inpatient basis.
• 24 hour/day availability of licensed staff who provide both skilled nursing care and assistance with personal care needs.
• On-site physical, occupational, and rehabilitative therapeutic services.
• Short-term rehabilitation or long-term care.

Adult day care is a supervised, structured daytime environment to support other senior housing arrangements. Adult day care provides:

• Opportunities for socialization, recreation and activities outside of the home environment.
• Select services and activities based on interests of the participant.
• Meals, health related services, and transportation to the facility.
• Short-term or flexible hours to allow respite for care providers.

Hospice care is available to those diagnosed with a terminal illness in the end stages of life. Hospice provides:

• A form of palliative care that is intended to maintain comfort and symptom management once curative treatment has ended.
• A team oriented care approach with the goal of ensuring a patient’s dignity and pain relief at end-of-life.
• Ongoing emotional, spiritual, and bereavement support for family caregivers.
• Provision of care in a variety of settings, including the home.

A Geriatric Care Manager is commonly a nurse or social worker specialized in geriatrics who is hired by the family to coordinate all aspects of senior care. The services of a geriatric care manager may include:

• Identifying care needs and coordinating a plan of care.
• Managing healthcare, attending Dr. appointments, and maintaining medical records.
• Finding and maximizing resources for providing and paying for care.
• Coordinating transitional care.
• Customizable service contracts to meet your care needs.

Elder law attorneys specialize in legal matters affecting older individuals. The services of an elder law attorney may include:

• Estate planning through the creation of a last will and testament and trust documents.
• Expertise and experience with the eligibility and application process for government benefits such as Social Security, and veteran’s benefits.
• Knowledge and experience with the eligibility and application process of Medicare and Medicaid.
• The preparation of legal documents such as advance healthcare directives (living will) and Power of Attorney.
• The preparation of a petition for guardianship.