Coming to terms with the fact that a loved one is ready for assisted living can be a difficult reality to face, and choosing the right facility makes it even tougher. It’s natural to worry about their safety when passing on caretaking, and the amount of options can feel overwhelming to weigh and narrow down. Nursing home abuse and neglect is a real and serious matter, and making an informed decision for your loved one can help you avoid a dangerous situation. According to nursing home abuse lawyers at Nicholson Revell, LLP, abuse and neglect can take many forms: physical, sexual, emotional, and financial are some examples. Below is a simplified explanation of long-term care options for you to consider and make the safest choice possible.

First Thing’s First: Determine Your Needs

Different types of long-term care facilities cater to certain needs, and your options might not be a matter of which is “best,” but more so which option is most compatible with your loved one’s necessities. Ask yourself these questions before exploring your options:

  1. Can your loved one live independently?
  2. Does your loved one need social interaction?
  3. Does your loved one require physical assistance for daily tasks?
  4. Is your loved one’s memory impaired?
  5. Does your loved one require hospice care?

Independent Living Communities

In contrast to living completely alone, but still having a sense of independence, independent living communities are designed for the elderly that may be in danger living by themselves, but don’t require constant surveillance. In these communities, the residents live in their own space, but are a part of a neighborhood/apartment complex setting filled with other individuals at similar life stages. On top of a sense of independence, residents in many of these communities can also access hotel-like amenities including exercise classes, game nights, dinners, and more. This is typically the most hands-off living environment for the elderly. 

Assisted Living Communities

According to Where You Live Matters, 1 in 5 U.S. adults above the age of 85 claim that they either need or are currently receiving help performing daily living. Therefore, countless elderly citizens require a certain level of care on a daily basis, which is where assisted living communities come in. Still considered to be relatively independent compared to skilled nursing homes or hospice, assisted living communities offer assisted living services such as medication management, housekeeping, transportation, structured social activities, and more. 

Skilled Nursing Homes

One of the more intensive care facilities that some elderly individuals require is a skilled nursing home. These are live-in facilities, in which the majority of the staff are medical professionals, equipped with the knowledge and skill to handle any of the residents medical needs. On top of taking care of the patients physical health, their mental health is also observed and cared for, as the staff is also typically equipped with care-takers that ensure the patients are active, happy, and having their tangible and intangible needs met. 

Memory Care Facilities

Memory care facilities are geared towards those living with Alzheimer’s disease or any form of memory impairment. These homes are a good fit for people with more extreme symptoms than an assisted living community can offer, as they provide more attention to the safety and health concerns of someone living with memory loss. 

Hospice

Hospice is considered a medical care facility for adults with short life expectancies. It’s typical that people in the end stages of Alzheimer’s or dementia receive this care. The focus of hospice care is to manage the patient’s symptoms for the duration of their life, which is typically projected at 6 months. The employees in these facilities assist an interdisciplinary range of needs: from physical to psychological needs. Professional assistance in hospice involves 24/7 surveillance. .

In The Case Of An Injury

Because you are putting your trust into the hands of others when registering for a long-term care facility, the primary well being of the resident then becomes the responsibility of those working there and the institution itself. Instances of injury, whether on accident or intentional should not be shrugged off or ignored. The residents of these communities deserve equal if not more rights to safety than others, and if they are not receiving that, personal injury attorneys like those at Nevarez Law Group can help. If there is an incident involving your loved one, you deserve to know what happened, if it could have been prevented, and receive compensation for your loved one’s pain and suffering.