About Long-Term
Care Facilities
(places where elderly persons live outside the home for care) Moving a senior
(elderly person) from a home to a long-term care facility is one of the most
difficult tasks a person could do. Often the senior is
unable
to live on one’s own or take care of oneself, and the family may be
unable to care for him or her any longer. Family or friends may feel guilty
in making
this decision to let a facility take care of their elderly person, but sometimes
a facility may be the best place for a frail elderly person to get the most
help or medical care. The move to a facility should be discussed by everyone
involved.
Often, the decision causes feelings of hostility and depression for everyone.
It is important to choose a facility that fills the needs of the resident,
a facility that allows the resident to make some choices to lessen his or
her feelings
of loss and isolation. Once in a long-term care facility, the resident should
be treated with respect and dignity to restore self worth and self esteem.
It is important to show you care.
**Because the needs of frail elderly persons vary, different levels of care have been established. You should take time to select the most appropriate level of care along with the facilty staff.
Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF's)
are licensed medical facilities providing 24-hour nursing care. There are
nurses at the facility and doctors
must be easily available.
Services include: dietary assistance (help with food or eating), pharmaceutical
services (medications), social services (personal help), activity program (exercise
and things to do), and other services. This facility may provide help for specific
illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s disease (memory loss) or other mental
challenges. This facility provides the most intensive level of care.
Range of cost: $2500 - $4500 per month, depending on the facility
Payment methods: Medi-Cal (when you have only $3000 left in assets)
Medicare (short-term for physical recovery only) Special private insurance
(“long-term care insurance,” covers
some of the cost) Own funds
Choosing a home: California Nursing Home Search
Residential Care Facilities (RCFE'S), sometimes called Assisted Living Facilities, are licensed facilities providing room, board (meals), supervision, and assistance with eating, dressing, bathing and medications. This type of facility is not medical in nature (not required to have nurses or doctors at the facility). The facility may be a private home with six beds or a large facility with 100 beds. Residents are usually able to act independently for most of their needs. Some facilities encourage residents to stay healthy in a home-like environment, some facilities are impersonal.
Range of cost: $1000 - $6000 per
month, depending on the facility
Payment methods: Most (80%) is paid with own funds Supplemental Security Income
(SSI) can pay some for those who have no funds.
Choosing a home: State of California-Community
Care Licensing