When it comes to placing a loved one in a facility that offers features designed to keep them safe and secure, you’ll want to know what level of care it provides. Some offer a full range of services designed to care for individuals with intensive care and hygiene needs. In contrast, others allow for the resident to care for themselves with some help and medical care.
Assisted Living Facility
Perhaps the most flexible arrangement offering medical care for various levels of needs is the assisted living facility. This option is standard for individuals who need increasing levels of care but who maintain a certain level of autonomy and may still want to provide for their needs.
However, as they age and their healthcare needs increase, licensed medical care providers are on hand to provide that assistance. For example, they usually have either a doctor on hand daily or make rounds as needed. The level of care and number of in-house medical care providers varies from location to location. Some services they provide to their residents can include the following.
- Housing — They usually have private quarters or an apartment. This apartment is equipped with emergency alert equipment to alert to falls and medical emergencies. Some locations may also check up on residents through the day and night, depending on the level of healthcare they require.
- Meals — The majority of assisted living facilities offer three meals daily, but that varies among locations. The meals are usually high quality and intended to meet all their nutritional needs.
- Housekeeping — Housekeeping comes to their apartment or room and thoroughly cleans and arranges everything to keep it sanitary and safe. The facility also provides a laundry service.
- Emergency care — Most assisted living facilities have emergency medical service personnel around the clock. There’s a frequent need for emergency care, and they provide it quickly and provide the care the individuals need on-site and transfer to a hospital, as necessary.
- Medication services — The assisted living facility offers complete medication services to monitor and refill as needed. They may monitor the patient taking the prescription, or they administer it to them.
- Personal care- These facilities help residents with their care, and bathing needs to help ensure they stay clean and cared for without the high risk of injuries.
- Social interactions — One of the greatest features of assisted living is the community of residents. They can interact with one another and participate in various social and recreational activities.
If a loved one wants or needs help with daily living and medical needs, this is a good middle-of-the-road option that allows them to have the quality of life they want with the features and medical staff that make it possible to live without risking being alone.
Nursing Home
Nursing homes offer elderly individuals complete care needs. They have nurses scheduled around the clock who frequently check and monitor each patient’s needs. Many of the patients are in wheelchairs or bed-bound. Those who are still likely mobile need a walker or assistance with their mobility.
They likely have intensive medical needs and may also have various conditions that require close supervision, such as dementia and chronic health conditions. These facilities have rooms more like hospitals and usually offer a room sharing option to cut costs and provide a better way to care for intensive needs. Think of this option as a long-term care facility for those with a noticeable decline or conditions that make it nearly impossible to get the right level of care at home or in an assisted living facility. Some possible care features a nursing home offers to its residents can include the following.
- Round-the-clock supervision — Nurses check on residents frequently, usually once or twice per hour. They do this to monitor progress, ensure the patient isn’t mobile, and alert them to developing medical conditions.
- Food — These facilities offer all meals and follow a strict eating plan for residents with special dietary needs. Some locations allow outside food, but if the resident has diabetes or other dietary restrictions, they may need to check the food first, so the resident doesn’t create medical conditions for themselves.
- Medication service — These living options provide complete medication dispersal services and closely monitor each daily patient medication and prescription needs. All medications are completely documented and refilled as needed in the house.
- In-house rehabilitation — A nursing home has a resident physical therapist who works with the residents regularly. They help them overcome mobility, strength, and recovery from surgery or medical events.
This option is for elderly individuals in a state of decline from age, medical condition, or a combination of both. These living facilities offer comprehensive care and strict monitoring of each resident.
Considerations
Some nursing homes have issues with neglect or other actions causing harm or injuries to a resident. If you or someone you love has been injured in Maryland nursing homes, take action to provide them with a better approach to recovery and future care needs.