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Caregiver Help
Caregiving Housing Options
Sometimes
it is not possible for a caregiver and care receiver to live
together.
*
The level of care that your spouse, relative or friend needs
may require highly skilled health care personnel on a regular
basis. In this case, an extended care facility, such as assisted
living or a nursing facility, may be an option.
* The care receiver may live in another town and does not
want to move.
* There may not be room in your home, or family members may
not want to live together. Whatever the reason, living in
a separate household does not mean that you cannot be a good
caregiver. You and the care receiver may, however, need to
make arrangements for additional help and/or services. They
can be provided either in his or her present home or in a
new housing arrangement.
Points
to Consider When Choosing Housing or Living Arrangements
When providing services to persons who have limitations in
their mobility and multiple physical needs, the type of housing
and living arrangements are critical. Housing and care in
this instance go hand in hand. There are many types of housing
arrangements available.
Before making a housing choice, you and your care receiver
should assess all of your needs.
- What facilities
are available in the community, and how much will they cost?
- How are you going to pay for housing and services?
- Are there guarantees that the facility is financially
secure? You and the care receiver will want to ask these
questions before making a decision about moving into a new
housing arrangement. If this arrangement involves a large
entrance fee or deposit or the signing of a contract, you
may want to consult a lawyer before making a commitment.
Choosing
Housing Options
Regardless of what the facility is called, check it out thoroughly
before making a decision. Some are licensed or accredited
while others are not.
- Licensing is an evaluation of a facility's operation in
accordance with government regulations, such as the Kansas
Department of Health and Environment.
- Many skilled and intermediate care nursing facilities
are accredited to accept patients under the Medicare and/or
Medicaid programs. This means they must meet certain standards
and provide certain services. You will need to ensure that
the facility is the right one for your spouse, relative
or friend. Even if you are not thinking about housing options
in the foreseeable future, it is wise to have several in
mind in case an emergency arises and you need temporary
care for your relative. Home care agencies often do not
have staff available to fill in on short notice, and you
may need the services of a long-term care facility.
You
can:
- Start
your preliminary search by phone.
- Visit those facilities that have the services your care
receiver wants and needs.
- Take the care receiver to see the facility. Better yet,
visit several and let the care receiver make the final choice,
if at all possible.
Types of Housing or Living Arrangements
The costs for various housing options is variable. The type
of housing needed may vary depending on where you live, or
the assistance needed to assist the care receiver with Activities
of Daily Living (ADL's). Contact
us or the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation
Services (SRS) office for more information or assistance.
* Continuing Care Retirement Communities offer varying
levels of care in the same building or on the same campus.
Both retirement and continuing care communities may encompass
everything from housing for independent living to assisted
living and skilled nursing home care. They are usually designed
for older persons with substantial financial resources.
* Nursing Homes provide an array of services such as 24-hour skilled nursing
care for total care patients; custodial care; therapy for
patients convalescing from hospitalizations; personal care;
and help with ADL's for persons with dementia, chronic health
and/or mobility problems.
* Boarding Care Homes can be an alternative to nursing
home placement. These homes provide a room, laundry, cleaning,
24-hour supervision, and in some cases, assistance with bathing,
dressing, and grooming. This type of home does not provide
medical or skilled nursing care. Residents must be able to
take medication on their own or with little supervision.
* Residential Health Care Facilities provide residents
with an individual living unit with a private bathroom but
not necessarily a kitchen. They provide meals, housekeeping,
and usually some personal care and assistance with ADLs. Usually
a caregiver is on-site, with medical personnel making periodic
visits.
* Assisted Living Facilities may provide everything,
including skilled nursing care. Others provide only personal
care, assistance with ADLs and/or social activities.
* Home Plus facilities are private residences which
offer 24-hour supervision and care for five people or less.
These homes provide a room, meals, 24-hour supervision, personal
care, and they may include supervised nursing care.
Questions to ask
before you sign a contract:
- How much will it cost, including add-ons to the rent?
- What is the cost or policy for telephone, television,
or cable hook up?
- Is there a cost for transportation, laundry, meals, etc.?
- How are cleaning standards maintained?
- What is the staff to resident ratio for a 24-hour period?
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