Assisted Living: History of Senior Living
Long before the emergence of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, families have been taking care of loved ones regardless of cost, convenience, or care needs. In the so-called simpler times, seniors moved in with adult children and grandchildren gave up time, attention, and personal space to dote on their elders during the final years of life. As time marched on, families began to move to various locations to raise their families and make a living, separating seniors from their adult children and grandchildren. This changed the delivery of senior care with impacts still evolving today.
Assisted Living: Defined
The state regulatory agency, the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), defines assisted living in Florida as:
“An assisted living facility (ALF) is designed to provide personal care services in the least restrictive and most home-like environment. These facilities can range in size from one resident to several hundred and may offer a wide variety of personal and nursing services designed specifically to meet an individual’s personal needs.”
Assisted Living: How to Pay for Senior Living
Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) are establishments that have historically been referred to as “nursing homes.” They have provided healthcare and housing for the critically and chronically ill by offering 24-hour oversight and services beyond assistance with activities of daily living. Through the years, the term “nursing home” has developed a negative connotation despite being a necessary provider in the continuum of care for the elderly. The evolution of congregate care has deep roots in nursing homes, the original reimagining of the long-ago asylums and sanitoriums, on its way to the less restrictive care we learned about previously in Assisted Living Facilities.
Downsizing to Assisted Living: When is the Time Right?
A move to senior living requires accepting that a smaller space is okay. As Dr. Dennis McCullough encourages in his phenomenal book, “My Mother, Your Mother,” take a look around the space your loved one lives in now. What rooms are they actually using? (Rooms used for storing “stuff” do not count!) You most likely will find that they are already downsizing their space to just a room or two.
Assisted Living: Expectations and Resources
Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) are establishments that have historically been referred to as “nursing homes.” They have provided healthcare and housing for the critically and chronically ill by offering 24-hour oversight and services beyond assistance with activities of daily living. Through the years, the term “nursing home” has developed a negative connotation despite being a necessary provider in the continuum of care for the elderly. The evolution of congregate care has deep roots in nursing homes, the original reimagining of the long-ago asylums and sanitoriums, on its way to the less restrictive care we learned about previously in Assisted Living Facilities.
Skilled Nursing Facilities: Who Needs Them?
Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) are establishments that have historically been referred to as “nursing homes.” They have provided healthcare and housing for the critically and chronically ill by offering 24-hour oversight and services beyond assistance with activities of daily living. Through the years, the term “nursing home” has developed a negative connotation despite being a necessary provider in the continuum of care for the elderly. The evolution of congregate care has deep roots in nursing homes, the original reimagining of the long-ago asylums and sanitoriums, on its way to the less restrictive care we learned about previously in Assisted Living Facilities.
Who Pays for a Nursing Home?
Affordable housing for all people continues to be an issue, and seniors, in particular, are hit hard in their years of decline. When it comes to the affordability of healthcare and living options for seniors, one thing we know for sure is that it pays to plan ahead. Failing to plan can be costly – emotionally, financially, and physically. What ARE the options for paying for a nursing home?
Simplifying Home Health Care Services
Home Health Services in the State of Florida are performed in many different ways. Home health services can be delivered by licensed and registered providers as well as independent health care providers.
A Common Scenario: Medicare Home Health Care or Private Duty Home Care?
No one said the “Golden Years” would be easy but thank goodness Brevard County has a wealth of senior resources to get us through! One valuable resource to seniors in our area is the availability of home health care and we have quite a selection to choose from. As discussed in the previous article, check out FloridaHealthFinder.gov for a complete list of licensed agencies and take time to review the information provided.
This article will focus on two types of home health providers – Skilled Home Health and Private Duty Home Care – and the differences between each that might make one a better fit than the other. Though, you can have both at the same time! We’ll get there…
A Common Scenario: Medicare Home Health Care or Private Duty Home Care?
A Common Scenario: Medicare Home Health Care or Private Duty Home Care? No one said the “Golden Years” would be easy but thank goodness Brevard County has a wealth of senior resources to get us through! One valuable resource to seniors in our area is the availability of home health care and we have quite […]