Independent Living
Independent communities for seniors vary in their look and services. As with assisted living, some communities may resemble apartments or condominiums, others may look more like cluster homes. Generally, these communities have floorplans that are senior-friendly—like the absence of stairs, wide doorways, and/or step-free showers. Services and social amenities might include transportation to local shopping, yard maintenance (such as with the cluster home), clubhouse/community room for family gatherings, community potlucks/parties/ trips.
Independent living may be called by other names— retirement communities, senior housing, etc. These communities are not regulated like assisted living facilities or nursing homes. Expect to pay for these living arrangements with private funds.
Assisted Living
When a senior does not require 24-hour nursing care, but does need assistance with activities of daily living (bathing, dressing, etc.), an assisted living facility may be an option. The size, layout, and services of these facilities vary. For example, one may look like a large family home while another may resemble apartments or condominiums.
The senior’s personal living space varies from efficiency, to single bedroom, to multi bedroom. Frequently one or more meals are provided in a communal setting; and in Ohio, medication administration may be offered. Seniors who live in these communities generally choose them because they like the social setting and are able to live as independently as possible while still receiving the assistance they need.
LTAC - Long Term Acute Care
Long-term acute care hospitals (LTACs) are facilities that specialize in the treatment of patients with serious medical conditions that require care on an ongoing basis but no longer require intensive care or extensive diagnostic procedures. These patients are typically discharged from the intensive care units and require more care than they can receive in a rehabilitation center, skilled nursing facility, or at home.
Memory Care Facilities
Many nursing homes and assisted living communities include memory care units that offer some services for residents with Alzheimer’s or dementia. There are also facilities wholly devoted to memory care. These specialty communities offer a thorough and structured schedule of activities designed for those diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and/or dementia. Regulation and costs vary by facility, but most memory care communities come under the “assisted living” banner.
Nursing home
Nursing homes must be licensed by the state in which they are located. At the federal level, they must also be certified by Medicare and Medicaid. Nursing homes are intended for seniors who need long-term, 24-hour nursing care.
Post Hospital Rehab
Post Hospital Rehabs are not just for seniors, but anyone who requires skilled rehabilitation while recovering from an unanticipated events such as fractures, strokes, brain injuries or even planned procedures such as hip replacement. The goal is to receive therapy to assist patients to get stronger and regain possible lost abilities. Post Hospital Rehab facilities may be called by other names such as Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs), inpatient rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, rehab units within hospitals, and other specialized settings.