LTC Facilities

There are a number of facility settings where long-term care services can be provided. Some of the most common options are discussed below.

Nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities (SNF’s) are residential homes for those who require constant nursing care or have significant deficiencies with Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s). Residents can be any age group as long as they require this type of care. They can be there to receive different kinds of care including physical, occupational, and other rehabilitative therapies.

Types of services provided in nursing homes include services of nurses (or nursing assistants/aides), therapists (speech, occupational, etc.), social workers, etc. Most care in nursing facilities is provided by certified nursing assistants, not by skilled personnel.

Nursing facilities that participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs are subject to federal requirements regarding staffing and quality of care for residents.

Assisted living Facilities (ALF’s) provide supervision or assistance with ADL’s. They also provide coordination of services by outside health care providers. Their main goal is to monitor resident activities to help to ensure the resident’s health, safety, and well-being. They do this through supervision of medication or personal care services provided by a trained staff person. These facilities are perfect for those who cannot live independently in a private residence, but who do not require the 24-hour care provided in nursing homes. This type of facility is very good for socialization as well since usually meals are served in a dining room.

Board and Care Homes are housing facilities for seniors or those with disabilities who live in a group situation and get assistance with personal care and ADL’s. Generally speaking, a Board and Care facility is the best option when 24-hour, non-medical supervision is needed for a person because of the personalized attention and sometimes small size.

Board and Care homes were the first recognized form of assisted living facilities, and are now regulated by government agencies. However, many are the smaller “mom and pop” type places and run without licenses.  If someone is considering this type of care facility, licensure status should be confirmed with the appropriate licensing office.  Board and Care homes can be up to 6 residents in a typical single family home, or may be a large building similar to an apartment building with over 100 residents.  Meals are usually provided no matter how many residents live there.

Please contact us to talk about how you can have more choices for your long-term care if you should need it.

This web site may contain concepts that have legal, accounting and tax implications. It is not intended to provide legal, accounting or tax advice. You may wish to consult a competent attorney, tax advisor, or accountant. PLEASE NOTE: If there are links on this page they are provided strictly as a courtesy and the pages referenced are maintained by external sources. There is not guaranteed as to the accuracy of the information contained in the web sites you are linking to.

Copyright © 2009