California senior citizens and their carers are faced with some of the hardest choices when it comes to long-term care. Nursing homes are a daunting prospect, especially since their shortcomings have been discussed and researched at length over the past few years, but other options are pricey and often seem out of the question. But not all hope is lost because with a little planning, those other options are within reach and the right long-term care can be carefully chosen. We’ve collected 6 care options for California senior citizens to consider.
Personal Care
Just because you need some extra help with day-to-day activities does not mean you need to move into a nursing home. One of the best options for most aging individuals is what is called personal care. Personal care providers help with the normal minutiae of daily life like dressing, cooking, hygiene, transportation, etc. They are someone to fill in during the hours when the regular caregiver (typically a relative) is not available. This sort of care helps ensure independence while also making sure the individual is safe while continuing to live in their home environment.
Home Healthcare
This is a step up from personal care in that home healthcare workers must be licensed within the state of California and are able to provide more advanced care that includes more nursing and specialized, skilled care. Home healthcare workers are able to assist with injury care and medications like intravenous and nutrition therapies, and injections. The goal of home healthcare professionals is to help their patients get better and recover, so while they may be able to help for a length of time, depending on the situation, they may not be a long-term solution.
Adult Day Care
This is probably one of the best alternatives to a nursing home or care facility. Adult day care programs are wide ranging and offer care and supervision for those who need it during hours when the individual’s primary caregiver is not available. According to the California Department of Aging, “Services vary from center to center but may include therapeutic activities such as art, singing, age-appropriate games, health monitoring, social work, meals, dietary counseling, physical, occupational and speech therapy.”
Find out more about the services offered and how to find an adult day care program here.
Continuing Care Retirement Community
Continuing care retirement communities or CCRCs are a more complex and multi-level form of nursing home. CCRCs offer different levels of care – from independent living to memory care units – all within the same community. This allows residents who would like to live independently to do so, knowing that as their needs progress and increase, they can stay within the same community and simply move to the accommodations that provide the appropriate care. There are many pros and cons to this type of community, so we encourage you to learn more here before making a decision.
Assisted Living Facilities
Assisted living facilities are a combination of personal care and nursing homes. They are residential facilities that can vary in size but generally offer personal and non-medical care for individuals 60 years or older. Many of these types of homes will accept individuals under the age of 60, and offer care for those with dementia and other non-medical needs.
Skilled Nursing Facilities
More commonly known as nursing homes, skilled nursing facilities are 24-hour, residential care facilities that offer skilled nursing for anyone in need of health-related care as well as day-to-day care. These facilities operate under the supervision of a medical director and offer, among other things, “dietary services, social services, pharmaceutical services, recreational therapy services, access to dental care, emphasis on rehabilitation, such as gait training and bowel and bladder training, specialized units for dementia residents, administration of potent injectable medications and intravenous medications and solutions on a regular basis.” (California Department of Aging).
Choosing the care that is best for you is a highly personal choice that can have a huge impact on your lifestyle and quality of life. We encourage anyone looking into their long-term care options to consult with trusted family and friends, lawyers, and medical professionals. Knowledge is power, so doing the research and preparing for the future will help ensure you get the care you need when you need it.
If you or a loved one has been a victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, call Gharibian Law (877-875-1119) today for a free consultation and the best in legal representation.
