Retirement Communities
These communities are usually designed for adults 55+ who are independent, without children at home and no longer interested in maintaing the burden of a large home or garden, but still want to have a private residence, landscaping done and activities available with others for them to enjoy. They typically do not include any health care services.
In-Home Care
When nursing care or chore services are needed and the resident is committed to staying in their own home, contracted services can be arranged on an hourly or around the clock basis. Services may prevent or delay a move to a care facility, but an assessment is first recommended to determine what services and how much care will be needed to get an accurate picture of the costs associated with that level of care, since they frequently can exceed that of assisted living communities.
Assisted Living Communities
These apartment-style communities are licensed to care for seven or more residents. They typically provide studio, 1 and 2 bedroom apartments, three meals a day, snacks, a variety of social activities, transportation to medical appointments and help with activities of daily living (ADL). Some Assisted Living communities provide limited nursing services; others may specialize in serving people with mental health problems, developmental disabilities, or memory loss and dementia including Alzheimer's disease.
Memory Loss and Dementia Care
Facilities specializing in Memory Loss and Dementia Care can be found as part of Assisted Living Communities, Adult Family Homes and in a Skilled Nursing Homes. They specialize in the care and needs of residents experiencing varying degrees of decline in any or all areas of intellectual functioning, use of language and numbers; awareness of what is going on around him or her; judgment; and the ability to reason, solve problems, and think abstractly.
Adult Family Homes
These are residential homes licensed to care for up to six non-related residents. They provide room, board, three meals a day and snacks, laundry, necessary supervision and help with activities of daily living, personal care, and social services.
Skilled Nursing Homes
A Skilled Nursing Home, also known as a Convalescent Home or rest home provides continuous nursing care every day around the clock and provide assistance with all activities of daily living such as bathing, toileting, dressing, eating, etc. Residents include the elderly and may also include younger adults with physical or mental disabilities. Eligible adults 18 or older can stay in a skilled nursing facility to receive physical and occupational therapy and other rehabilitative therapies following an accident or illness.
