Care Options: LTC Treatment Variations - Assisted Living Facility

There are several kinds of assisted living facilities, including Retirement Homes, Continuing Care Retirement Centers, Residential Care Facilities and Intermediate Care Facilities. These provide a variety of independent living options for the elderly, mentally ill and disabled. These facilities usually charge an entrance fee, (sometimes partially refundable) and then a monthly rate. They can be quite expensive. However, they also offer placement in nursing home care within the facility for those who require more intensive assisted living, so for many this is an ideal transitional option. 

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Assisted Living Facility Features

In these types of facilities, residents have small, private apartments. They are designed for individuals who are independent but would like to live in a contained community with people their own age. Retirement Homes are designed for those who are, for the most part, completely independent. The conveniences are similar to Continuing Care Retirement services but they do not offer nursing care, as Continuing Care facilities do. Assisted living covers a variety of amenities and services. These vary from place to place and can include: 

• Drugstore
• Hair salon
• Barber shop
• Bank
• Casual and more formal dining 
• Recreational activities
• Transportation to shopping and grocery stores
• Small trips
• Trips to local cultural activities
• Transportation services
• Laundry
• On-site entertainment and social events
• Transportation to medical appointments
• Assistance with bathing, dressing and grooming
• Medical care

Residential Care Facilities are home-type facilities that house a small number of residents. Licensed caretakers supervise these. Residents are able to care for themselves so long as they are in a protected place.  Amenities of these are:

• Room and board
• Laundry
• Cleaning
• Assistance with medications
• Bathing
• Dressing

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The Strengths of an Assisted Living Facility

Most will accept at least some residents who are non-ambulatory. The Department of Human Services usually licenses Residential Care facilities. These are generally for younger people, but some Retirement Communities are also Residential Care facilities.  There are also Intermediate Care Facilities. These serve patients who are ambulatory, even those who are able to get around without a wheelchair. In these facilities, incontinence is managed and intermittent nursing services are provided. Intermediate Care Facilities are for those who are not bedridden, and can move about the facility under their own initiative, even with a wheelchair.

It is up to the individual in need of services and his or her loved ones to determine which of these choices is best suited to their situation. Whatever the case, if you have LTC insurance, you will have a better chance at optimum quality of life and a wider range of choices for your care.

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