Types of senior housing

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Below are descriptions of the senior living options  in Traverse City, Michigan and surrounding counties and the differences between them. Over the years, terms such as, continuum of care, memory care and others have caused more questions for families. The descriptions below will hopefully help you understand what this area has to offer. 

Please contact us for further information, cost and individualized attention.

What does independent living mean? A person who is able to do all their own Activities of Daily Living (ADL's) such as, bathing, dressing, cooking, shopping, etc. living in their own home or condo that they maintain.

When  a person moves to a retirement complex they have generally downsized to an apartment and no longer have to be concerned with mowing, gardening, or replacing appliances; the complex takes care of all this. However, a person is still responsible for taking care of their ADL's.

Retirement Centers provide amenities that make life easier and more enjoyable. It is up to the individual to utilize those amenities. Amenities such as:

• Meals (1-3 a day)
• Housekeeping
• Laundry Service
• Transportation
• Social Programs & Activities
• Beautiful Common Areas

Apartments range in size from a studio apartment to 1-3 bedroom apartment. All include private bath, living room and kitchen or kitchenette. Each complex has their policy on what is included in the rent; whether it be utilities, meals, housekeeping or laundry. You can be as active and social as you like or have complete privacy. Staff is on-site for emergencies (even during the night) and will stay with you until the ambulance arrives, but will not assist you. If you need assistance with ADLS's, you would need to hire outside services to assist you. 

Not every independent living complex in this area is considered a contimuum of care complex. A true continumm of care complex begins with an independent living building, an assisted living and/or memory care building and a skilled nursing facility. As a person needs more and more assistance, they move through the community. 

What does assisted living mean? When you need assisted living or an adult foster care home, it means you now need to move from your own home and need assistance w/ Activities of Daily Living (ADL's) and more, such as:

• Medication Management
• Meals (possible hand feeding)
• Bathing & Dressing
• Ambulating & Transferring
• Dementia & Parkinson's 
• Frailties or Londely
• Injections & Catheters 

These residences may be a private home, where there are 2-12 residents. The owners live on site providing care throughout the day and are available for emergencies during the night. May be a private or semi private room w/ private or shared bath.

There are residences that provide 24-hour awake staff for 10 or more people (up to 60) in which you would have a private room with bath (1/2 or full). It may be an apartment with living room, kitchenettes or full kitchens, 1-2 bedrooms and full bath. Each complex will have a common dining and living room, but may also have other sitting areas such as, libraries, patios/decks, and activity rooms. No matter the size of the room or apartment you may have minimal to maximum assistance, age in place and have hospice services when needed. All residences will be equipped  with cable TV and phones in the rooms (possibly WiFi). Rent will be based on level of care and/or size of the room or apartment. As care increases the rent may increase as well. 

What does memory care mean? First, just because someone has memory issues or is dianosed with demenita, does not mean a person needs to be in a memory care home. A memory care home is for those whose dementia has caused "sundowning" or other behaviors that require staff to be speicifically trained in caring for your loved one. Also, these homes have keypads on the doors providing a secure complex for those who wander. For cost and individual attention, please contact us.

What does skilled nursing and long term care mean? Is there a difference? First, let's explain what these terms mean: both skilled and long term care are provided in the same nursing home facility. Nursing homes provide 24 hour care with nurses, PA's, physical/occupational/speech therapists and doctors. These facilities have always provided high levels of care for individuals and continue to do so. Generally individuals who's needs are much higher with their Activities of Daily Living (ADL's) but can't afford the cost of assisted living will move into a nursing home because they can qualify for Medicaid. The care provides complete assistance with ADL's, even lifting. All degenerative diseases, physical needs, IV therapies and tube feedings. Nursing homes now offer a wide range of activities and outings and have improved dramatically from long ago.

Secondly, there is a difference. Skilled nursing is a stepdown from the hospital setting. Skilled nursing care is provided to help an individual move back to their own home. This person may have been in the hospital but now needs extended care for either:

• Infusion Therapy
• Wound Care
• Medically complex or Post Surgical
• Pulmonary Respiratory Therapy
• Cardiac Care
• Stroke or Movement Disorder
• Palliative/Hospice Care

Skilled nursing care is a term used for therapy of some kind (rehab) in a long term care facility. Which means, once you're stronger, you return home or to an assisted living residence. If you are there for rehab purposes only, most likely Medicare is paying for your rehab. 

Long term care? As a person becomes comfortable with their surroundings and their care, they may need or choose to stay as a long term care resident. This same person no longer needs the therapies, but due to their physical or mental status and their financial situation, they must remain. Rent may fall under Medicaid guidelines with you having a patient pay amount (based on income). If you do not qualify for Medicaid then you will have to pay the private rate. Medicaid is somewhat complicated to explain when applied to nursing homes versus adult foster care homes. Please contact us for a further explanation.