Determining the “Right” Kind of Care for Seniors

When caring for an older loved one, the choices can seem limitless, and consequently, overwhelming. We are very fortunate, in the Atlanta area, to have so many great options available to us. But just how can you decide which one is right for your family? What are the differences between Independent Living and Assisted Living, and just where does the nursing home fit in?

First it is important to know what the needs of your senior are, and then you can narrow down how to best meet those needs. One method to determine what they require is to have a comprehensive evaluation done by a professional, either a physician or a geriatric care manager. After you know what you need, then its time to shop for the best options. Here are some guidelines to help in your selection.

To begin, the lightest amount of care is provided in an Independent Living Community for seniors, also known as a Retirement Community. You get no outside assistance, and you have complete privacy, but you must pay privately.

The next level of care is Assisted Living. In Assisted Living, you are provided with basic assistance such as prepared meals, light housekeeping, and usually linens service. If you need more “personal” care you may get it, but at an additional fee. Such things as medication management, help with Activities of Daily Living, etc. BUT they are not able to provide any direct skilled nursing, like wound care or tube feeding. For Assisted Living you either pay privately, or use LTC insurance.

Then a possible need would be Dementia Care. This is much like Assisted Living, but it is only for persons with some form of memory loss. It is usually an all-inclusive fee, because of the level of care required, so you will know up front what you will be paying for. They are also not permitted to do any “skilled” nursing care, but they are a locked, secure unit, to ensure the safety of the residents. For dementia care you pay either privately or with LTC insurance.

There are choices for those who want to remain at home as well. Home Care is also known as companion care. A non-skilled person comes to the private residence to do light housekeeping, laundry, meal preparation, bathing assistance and occasional transportation (the grocery store, hairdressers, etc.) It can become expensive for the hourly service, which is private pay, although some LTC insurance will pay.

Home Health Care sounds similar, but is very different. Home Health is skilled nursing that comes into the home to address care issues that others are not able to provide. It is very costly, and Medicare only pays when the senior is “home bound.” So it is usually private pay or by LTC insurance.

So, that leaves Nursing Home care. Nursing homes have been given the dubious honor of being the last resort for many. But they are able to provide the level of care that families at home are just not able give. It is skilled nursing, plus all of the Activities of Daily Living. It can be paid for through private pay, LTC insurance, or Medicaid. Medicaid can by tough to come by, as many Nursing Homes limit the “number of Medicaid beds”, you must qualify and there can be long waiting lists, but it can be done.

So as you can see, there are truly many choices in the type of care available, and making the appropriate selection can save you time, money and heartache. If you are unsure of the right choice, seek professional help, and they will assist you in finding the most beneficial options for your loved one.

59 replies
  1. Ridley Fitzgerald
    Ridley Fitzgerald says:

    It’s great to know about different senior care options. I like how you said that the lightest amount of care is given at independent living places. We want our mom to be taken care of, but she doesn’t need a ton of help yet. We’ll look for a facility like that.

    Reply
  2. Liz
    Liz says:

    What kind of doctor does the evaluation to determine the right level of care?

    What if you don’t have LTC insurance and can’t afford to pay out of pocket?

    Reply
    • Lisa Kaufman
      Lisa Kaufman says:

      The “right kind” of doctor could include the Primary Care Physician, a Geriatric Psychiatrist, or a Neurologist. It depends on the reasons for the need for care and the primary diagnosis or presenting problems as to which doctor would be best suited.

      Assisted Living and in-home care are generally private pay. LTC Insurance can help with the costs, as can eligibility for VA Aid and Attendance Benefits.

      Reply
  3. Sonia Moorehead
    Sonia Moorehead says:

    Professional health care is important to every elders nowadays for the maintaining of their healthy diet, physical activities and other healthy tips that for them. Thank you for the great blog you shared I learned.

    Reply
  4. Joy Butler
    Joy Butler says:

    Thank you very much for the information on how to determine the right care for seniors. I love and do care for the elder people as I was taught by my sweet grandmother to do so. I believe that we should look for a place wherein they could still feel that they are being loved, their needs are being attended to. A place where they could relax and feel so comfortable to stay with.

    Reply
  5. Bethany Birchridge
    Bethany Birchridge says:

    I like that you can hire dementia care to watch after loved ones with dementia and memory loss problems. I’ve also heard that being home alone could cause elderly people to be at risk for accidents and depression. My grandmother is having walking problems, but refuses to use her cane. It sounds like a senior care service may be best for her, as it will let her have more friends and freedom.

    Reply
  6. Amethyst Boheur
    Amethyst Boheur says:

    It sure was nice that you talked about the assisted living community and how the senior will receive basic assistance, like prepared meals and housekeeping. That seems like a place where my grandma will receive more freedom. It might be good if I suggest this to her. After all, she was the one who said that she does not need much help.

    Reply
    • Lisa Kaufman
      Lisa Kaufman says:

      Thank you for your feedback, Amethyst. I hope the suggestion is helpful and that your grandma gets the support she needs without impacting her independence.
      Best,
      -Lisa

      Reply
  7. Charles Mitchell
    Charles Mitchell says:

    It was nice that you explained that assisted living facilities only provide the person with basic assistance, like housekeeping, prepared meals, and such. That is exactly what my grandma wants since she claims to be strong enough to care for herself. She just needs help with cooking and cleaning since she can’t afford to be tired. I will suggest this to her.

    Reply
  8. Michael Lee
    Michael Lee says:

    Before reading this article, I didn’t know the difference between the different types of home care. I had thought that there was no difference between a retirement community and an assisted living community. By my parents, there is a retirement community that has a range of services which include assisted living.

    Reply
  9. Caden Dahl
    Caden Dahl says:

    You are right that seniors do need to have the proper care. I know that once my mom gets to the age where she’ll need it, I would want to find the right care for her. As you said, there are different types so it important to choose the right one for your situation.

    Reply
  10. Ellie Davis
    Ellie Davis says:

    My mother isn’t able to do much on her own anymore and as her only daughter, I want to make sure we get her the best care possible. I really appreciate that you point out that there are independent living communities that will allow her to have some independence. I’ll have to look into finding the best facility for her.

    Reply
  11. Sandra Patterson
    Sandra Patterson says:

    Thanks for helping em understand that there is a way for people with dementia and memory loss to have their own form of assisted living. My grandma has been showing signs of dementia, but we don’t have anyone in the family that can care for her right now. I will be sure to talk to my family about finding some sort of home for her so that she can be as comfortable as possible.

    Reply
    • Lisa Kaufman
      Lisa Kaufman says:

      Hi Sandra,
      There are many options out there, and if you need help finding the right fit, please let me know. A Care Manager can help you, or other placement resources are available.
      Good luck!
      -Lisa

      Reply
  12. Tyler Johnson
    Tyler Johnson says:

    That’s good to know that if you require a bit more personalized service that an assisted living home might be a good option. My dad is getting older now and I would want to make sure he is being taken care of. I might have to look into some options like that for him.

    Reply
    • Lisa Kaufman
      Lisa Kaufman says:

      Hi Tyler,
      Yes, that is the intention of Assisted Living, and should he need more care or supervision to remain safe, it could be more affordable than private duty care in the home. A Care Manager can help you determine what the right next steps for him could be.
      Best of luck,
      -Lisa

      Reply
  13. Cassidy Woods
    Cassidy Woods says:

    Elderly companion care offers benefits for everyone involved. Not only do the elderly get the care they need and deserve, the caregiver gets share stories, communicate, and have their lives enriched by the time they spend with their companion.

    Reply
  14. Greta James
    Greta James says:

    Thank you so much for pointing out that medical professionals can help to determine what your senior loved one needs out of additional care help. My mother is getting older. She loves her home and is doing her best to stay independent, but she is just getting too old to be self-sufficient. I do not want to take her home from her, but I think that she could use help. We will have to start looking into elderly home care services in the area.

    Reply
    • Lisa Kaufman
      Lisa Kaufman says:

      Hi Greta,
      Thank you for your comment. An Aging Life Care Manager would be an excellent resource to help you determine when is the right time, and where is the right place. They are objective professionals and clinicians who will advocate for you and your mom.

      Best of luck!
      -Lisa

      Reply
  15. Jesse Ford
    Jesse Ford says:

    I like how you mentioned that getting a comprehensive evaluation by a medical specialist is one of the best ways to know how to meet the needs of caring for seniors. My wife and I are thinking of looking at retirement homes for her parents because they’re considering downsizing their living space since it’s only the two of them. It seems like a good idea for us to think about hiring a reputable professional that can help us choose the best house for my in-laws to live in to make them feel as comfortable as possible.

    Reply
  16. Franklin White
    Franklin White says:

    I’m glad to hear that you will usually know upfront what you need to pay for if you need to put a loved one in memory care. My mom is all alone and I’m pretty sure she has dementia. We’ll look for a place that can take her in and see how much it’ll cost for her to be there.

    Reply
    • Lisa Kaufman
      Lisa Kaufman says:

      Hi Franklin,
      There should not be hidden fees, and you should absolutely know what you are signing up for. If you are unsure of next right steps, consulting with a Care Manager in your area is money well spent to determine the most cost effective planning both long and short term.

      Best of luck!
      -Lisa

      Reply
  17. Zoe Campos
    Zoe Campos says:

    I’m glad that someone can provide companionship to my grandmother and help when it comes to household chores if we were to have the senior in-home care option. She recently mentioned that she’s having a hard time doing her laundry and since we can’t visit her all the time, it’s best to trust a professional. I’ll try to look for agencies that provide this service and inquire about the hourly cost.

    Reply
  18. Adam Golightly
    Adam Golightly says:

    My uncle has been thinking about taking better care of his grandfather to make sure that he is a lot safer. He would really like to get some help from a professional to make sure that he gets the right care placement. I liked what you said about how they should make sure that the residents are safe, and he understands what kind of care he will be paying for.

    Reply
    • Lisa Kaufman
      Lisa Kaufman says:

      Hi Paul,
      You are correct, there is a range of costs and that can vary by location. I encourage families to use registered agencies to provide protections against personal injury, the need to find staffing coverage, or for licensing and bonding. I few dollars an hour more can protect you from liability, and it is well worth it!
      Best of luck,
      -Lisa

      Reply
  19. Bob Newton
    Bob Newton says:

    It’s interesting that you mention that assisted living is ideal for seniors who need a lot of help with their daily tasks. My mother needs a lot of help taking care of herself, so I’m thinking about moving her into an assisted living community. I’m going to see if there’s a good assisted living facility in the area that she can use.

    Reply
  20. Eli Richardson
    Eli Richardson says:

    It’s great that you talked about different options for senior care. Recently, the whole family had a meeting to talk about my grandmother’s health situation. She sometimes forgets to take her meds, and she had some minor accidents in the past. That’s why we think it’s time to get the help of a professional, and I believe your article will help us choose the best one. Thanks for the information about how it’s important to know what your loved one needs.

    Reply
    • Lisa Kaufman
      Lisa Kaufman says:

      Hi Eli,

      I am so happy this was helpful for you. Getting a professional to assess your grandmother’s situation is important so you do not waste time, resources or health. I can highly recommend finding an Aging Life Care Manager at http://www.aginglifecare.org
      Thank you for being a loving grandson!
      Best of luck,
      -Lisa

      Reply
  21. Fred Gibbons
    Fred Gibbons says:

    It’s valuable that you mention that a home care service can help elderly people with their housekeeping needs. My mother has a hard time keeping her house clean, so I’m considering hiring an in-home caregiver for her. I’m going to look for a good in-home caregiver that I can hire.

    Reply
    • Lisa Kaufman
      Lisa Kaufman says:

      Hi Fred,
      I think getting help for your mother is a wonderful idea! I encourage families to use registered agencies to provide protections against personal injury, background checks, the need to find staffing coverage, or for licensing and bonding. A few dollars an hour more can protect you from liability, and it is well worth it!
      Good Luck,
      ~Lisa

      Reply
  22. Chris Pederson
    Chris Pederson says:

    It’s good to know that independent living communities have the lightest amount of care. My dad doesn’t want too much help but I know he needs it. Maybe I can convince him to at least look at an assisted living place and see if he would like to get more help.

    Reply
    • Lisa Kaufman
      Lisa Kaufman says:

      Hi Chris,
      Independent Living does not provide any levels of care for their residents. Ideally, they are independent and therefore do not need care. Often when they do need some help, outside caregiving agencies can be brought in. Assisted Living does provide many levels of care, so even “just a little” help can be provided, and it is common that there are levels of care and pricing so you only pay for what you need.
      If you need help starting that conversation with your dad, consider working with an Aging Life Care Professional for help. http://www.aginglifecare.org
      Best of luck,
      -Lisa

      Reply
  23. Mia Evans
    Mia Evans says:

    Thanks for pointing out that we should know what the needs of our loved ones are to narrow down our search. I will follow your advice so that I will hire the best fit for my dad. My dad has mobility issues and has diabetes, so he might really need someone who has handled diabetic patients before to have an idea how to handle insulin shots.

    Reply
    • Lisa Kaufman
      Lisa Kaufman says:

      Hi Mia,

      Thank you for writing! If your dad has “sliding scale” insulin, you will need to let potential providers know so that can inform you if they can meet his needs. In Georgia, homecare aides cannot “dose” medications and insulin can be tricky. Be up front with providers as you interview to make sure they can legally provide what your dad needs.
      Best of luck,
      -Lisa

      Reply
  24. Tex Hooper
    Tex Hooper says:

    Great tip about finding a center that works well with dementia care. I need to find a place for my 90-year-old dad. His mental state has been deteriorating for some years now.

    Reply
  25. Millie Hue
    Millie Hue says:

    It really helped when you said that a memory care home would usually have an all-inclusive fee because of the level of care needed. I will share this information with my mom now that she wanted to consider this for granddad this year. It’s for his safety, since he has memory issues now and we are usually away every morning until the evening. So he might get confused or might even get lost if he goes out on his own.

    Reply
    • Lisa Kaufman
      Lisa Kaufman says:

      Hi Millie,

      I do want to clarify that NOT all memory care is inclusive-pricing. It depends on the community and how they are structured. Be sure to ask when you go tour.
      best of luck,
      -Lisa

      Reply
  26. Jesse Ford
    Jesse Ford says:

    It’s good to know that those in assisted living get basic help but are otherwise independent. My father has been struggling on his own for some time now. I think assisted living might be a good option for him.

    Reply
  27. Tex Hooper
    Tex Hooper says:

    I like what you said about getting private insurance for your elders. I need to get a senior facility to take care of my mom. I just don’t have the tools to take care of her.

    Reply
    • Lisa Kaufman
      Lisa Kaufman says:

      Hi Tex,
      Many seniors will not qualify for Long Term Care (LTC) insurance, due to pre-existing conditions. Medicare is the “government” provided health insurance for seniors, and in many states it does not pay for living environments. The vast majority of senior facilities are private pay.
      Good luck!
      -Lisa

      Reply
  28. Henry Killingsworth
    Henry Killingsworth says:

    It was interesting to me when you talked about how assisted living offers things like prepared meals and light housekeeping. I would imagine that assisted living would be great for people that probably shouldn’t be by themselves. It seems like assisted living could also greatly improve someone’s comfort levels in their senior age.

    Reply
  29. Daisy James
    Daisy James says:

    I loved how you said that assisted living can help with basic housekeeping. My mom was talking to me on the phone last night about how she has been struggling with doing basic tasks on her own for the past couple of weeks, so I was wondering what care would be best for her. I appreciate you helping me learn more about assisted living!

    Reply
    • Lisa Kaufman
      Lisa Kaufman says:

      Hi Daisy,
      Assisted Living is one option to consider. In home care or companions are another option. Getting an objective third-party assessment can help you determine what would be best for you and your mom – and hiring an Aging Life Care Manager is a terrific way to meet that goal. Please look on http://www.aginglifecare.org to find a qualified Care Manager in your area.
      Best of luck,
      -Lisa

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *