When home care and community services are no longer adequate, a person must decide on the best alternative arrangement for meeting personal and health care needs. Continuing care communities, a relatively new concept, ensure that all needs of the resident are met, including room and board, personal and health care, and social activities. Assisted living facilities include retirement homes and board and care homes. Services differ from location to location but usually include meals, recreation, security, and assistance with bathing, and dressing. Skilled nursing facilities may be the best choice for those who require 24-hour medical care and supervision.
Emphasis is on medical care with rehabilitative therapy to improve or maintain abilities.
Sometimes it is difficult to know when nursing home care is warranted. Ideally, a health care team will assess the level of care needed for the person and suggest the combination of services required. Health care teams are most likely to be found at university hospitals or community medical centers. The team should include the patient's doctor, a nurse, a social worker or psychiatric counselor, and a physical therapist. Copyright 2000 Cybermed Marketing, Inc .