Levels of Senior Care

Posted on July 21, 2021July 14, 2021 by admin

As you start to look into senior care for yourself or a loved one, it’s easy to get confused. It’s not as simple as looking for an assisted living facility. There are many different levels of care and a variety of facilities that provide different services.

In broad strokes, you can break down senior living options into four different types. Independent living communities are usually townhouses or single-family homes that provide a community for seniors. There they can enjoy social activities and companionship. Residents of assisted living communities live in apartments with staff available to help with activities of daily living but not medical services. Nursing homes and long-term care facilities provide 24-hour assistance. They offer both daily living activities and medical care. Continuing Care retirement communities are in a class by themselves and provide a wide range of senior care services.

Independent Living

Independent living is also sometimes known as senior living and can be considered “aging in place.” These communities often have a strict age limit. This way residents are at similar stages in their life. People who live in senior living communities usually purchase traditional housing such as a townhouse or single-family home. In addition, these communities often have a social director that coordinates day trips, schedules social events and fitness classes. They may even have onsite church services. Seniors that move into an independent living community have the freedom to live their lives as they see fit. This is one of the lower levels of senior care.

Assisted Living

Assisted Living consists of residential facilities for those in need of higher levels of senior care. Namely when it comes to activities of daily living (also called ADLs). ADLs include such fundamental tasks as bathing, dressing, cooking meals, and moving around a residence. Services provided in an assisted living community include meal preparation, housekeeping and laundry services. They also help with personal care. Some assisted living facilities provide memory care for residents with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. For the most part, older adults who live in assisted living facilities need minimal care and do not have many medical needs.

Nursing Homes

Nursing homes provide around-the-clock skilled nursing care. Skilled nursing facilities provide one of the highest levels of senior care. Whether short-term, such as rehabilitation after surgery, or for long-term care of more serious medical issues. Nursing homes do all the same things as assisted living but include medical needs. For example, taking vital signs, administering medication, and coordinating with doctors. Patients reside in a single room, either private or shared with another resident. Seniors with severe dementia or Alzheimer’s disease typically reside in skilled nursing facilities for in-depth memory care. Nursing homes also provide hospice services for end-of-life care.

Continuing Care Retirement Communities

Also known as CCRC, this type of senior housing is typically for wealthy seniors who want to find a community where they can live out the rest of their lives. The key is in the words “continuing care.” These facilities offer a variety of levels of senior care so residents can take advantage of care services as their needs change. A couple may start out living independently and add on assisted living services such as personal care if their physical status deteriorates. It allows seniors to remain in the same residence, knowing that care will be provided to them if needed.

Levels within Levels of Senior Care

The four types of facilities explained above are often further broken down into more subtle levels of senior care depending on the needs of the adult in question. For example, assisted living communities are typically broken down into several levels of care:

Level 1 Care

We consider this low-level care and it applies to residents who need little help with their ADLs (activities of daily living) and live mostly independent lives. They are capable of bathing themselves, make their own meals, and move around well on their own. They do not suffer from incontinence and can use the bathroom safely on their own. While they may need help managing their medications or testing their blood sugar levels, for the most part, they do not require 24/7 nursing care.

Level 2 Care

For seniors who need more assistance with physical and health-related issues. They might be able to handle certain ADLs but need help with others. For example, your loved one may be able to feed themselves but need assistance bathing or dressing. They might be starting to show signs of memory loss, requiring caregivers to watch them on a more consistent basis. A Level 2 assisted living facility will not accept patients who are bedridden or completely incontinent. They must have separate wards for patients who receive a nursing home level of care versus those that do not. Another key difference is that Level 2 nursing care is covered by Medicaid, while Level 1 care is not.

Level 3 Care

Also known as memory care. Level 3 care has programs aimed primarily at those seniors living with advanced Alzheimer’s and dementia. If your loved one is recommended for Level 3 care, chances are they need a high level of assistance with ADLs and need around-the-clock health care. Similar to Level 2 care, Level 3 care will involve registered nurses, certified nursing assistants, and regular caregivers. A caseworker is usually assigned to assist the family and the facility in the management of the patient’s care.

Senior Living and Levels of Senior Care at Mary T

Mary T is proud to provide a wide array of community options where you or a loved one will feel right at home. If you’re interested in an independent living community, Margaret Place and the Villas of Casa Grande offer residential housing to those age 55 and older. Both have 24-hour on-site manager, twice daily “I’m OK” checks, and group activities and outings.

If you are looking for an assisted living community with a higher level of care, Eagle Street and Creekside Cottage have a fantastic staff that provides its residents with personal care services. Residents enjoy homemade meals, in-home physician visits, medication management, and registered nurses on-site and on-call 24/7.

If your level of care requires a full-time skilled nursing facility, the Camilia Rose Care Center has programs to manage and care for any complex medical issue. Our loving staff is there to provide whatever is needed to help you or your loved one live the best life possible. Contact us today to learn more.

Working as an Assisted Living Nursing Assistant

Posted on May 12, 2021May 5, 2021 by admin

Nursing assistants play a vital role in the care of residents at nursing homes and assisted living facilities. They are essential providers. They help patients with the activities of daily living. As well as support nurses by taking vital signs and giving medications. Being a CNA is a challenging but rewarding job. It’s also a great way to embark on a medical career. What does being a certified nursing assistant involve? What are their responsibilities? How do you become one?

What You Do as a Certified Nursing Assistant

Certified Nursing Assistants take on a multitude of tasks on a daily basis. While some of the job is routine, no two days are ever alike. The main responsibility of a CNA is to care for patients and help them to do things they can’t do on their own. You will need a certain amount of strength as you’ll often be working with people who may be frail or ill.

Working with RNs and LPNs

Most times, a CNA works under a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). It’s important for you to have great communication skills. This is because you will be acting as the go-between for the nurse and the patient. You’ll be asked to perform daily tasks such as bathing patients to keep them clean and comfortable, helping them eat and drink, and making sure their rooms stay clean and sanitary. You’ll be asked to assist patients in and out of bed and help them to change positions.

It is also the job of nursing assistants to support the nurse in the medical care of a patient. You may answer call buttons and fulfill personal patient requests as they come. As well as take and record patients’ vital signs such as temperature and blood pressure. Nursing assistants become very close to the patients in their community. That’s why they are often the ones who notice health changes first. It’s important for them to be able to convey these changes to the nurses so that appropriate measures can be taken.

Nursing assistants are in charge of a lot of things, but there are tasks that they are not allowed to perform. For example, while they are allowed to administer medications, they are not qualified to give intramuscular shots or IV injections. They also don’t work with open wounds, insert catheters or administer tube feedings. These are procedures that only nurses have the training and skills to complete.

What is the difference between a PCA and a CNA?

A Patient Care Assistant’s primary job is to be a caregiver to a patient, whereas a CNA is a ground-floor healthcare worker. You do not need to become certified to be a PCA, but a CNA must have certification status before embarking on a career. PCAs work with patients to make sure they eat, keep good hygiene, and work on mobility needs such as pushing a wheelchair. Nursing Assistants have more training and are therefore expected to take care of the medical needs. Both careers are worthwhile jobs that are important within the patient community.

How Do You Become a CNA, and Where Can You Work?

Whether you are interested in getting in on the ground floor of a nursing career or just think getting a job as a CNA is something you want to do, getting started is easy. If you have a high school diploma or a GED, you can enroll in a state-approved CNA program. The length of the program will vary depending on your state’s requirements, but most education programs take anywhere from 4-12 weeks to complete. Your training and education will include courses in health, science, and hygiene; as well as building skills in the field. Once you are certified, you can search for a job at almost any health facility, including hospitals and nursing homes. Salaries vary depending on employers and location, but you can expect to make a salary anywhere between $20,000 – $45,000 per year.

Start Your Career as a CNA

The need for CNAs on a national level is expected to increase due to the aging population in the country. If you are a compassionate person who loves to work with people, becoming a certified nursing assistant may be the perfect career for you.

Mary T is always looking for kind individuals who have chosen to make the care of others the focus of their career. Visit our website to see our open positions and come join our team!

Nursing Home vs Assisted Living

Posted on February 17, 2021February 10, 2021 by admin

Many people often equate nursing homes with assisted living communities and vice versa. This is understandable, as senior living as a whole tends to get blurred into one subject. However, nursing home care and assisted living are two different things entirely.

As you search for the right living arrangement for your loved one, it is important to understand the differences between senior living services and nursing home vs assisted living. Here at Mary T, we want you to be able to make the best decision for the senior in your life who is planning to transition to a senior care facility.

Nursing Home vs Assisted Living: How to Choose the Right Level of Care

It can be difficult trying to determine the best level of care for loved ones. Fortunately, you have resources available that can help make your decision easier.

Our senior living specialists are happy to offer their assistance in finding the best residential care based on your loved one’s needs. Contact us at your earliest convenience so we can walk you through your options.

What is the next level of care after assisted living?

Memory care is often the next level of care. It provides failure-free activities designed to accommodate seniors living with memory loss. This level of care may also offer family members educational support to help deal with the challenges that memory loss and dementia often present.

When should you move from assisted living to a nursing home?

One of the most notable clues is if caregivers are finding it more and more challenging to meet your loved one’s needs. This may present itself in the form of frustration or feeling increasingly tired. If the need for care is getting to be more than you or the caregiver can handle, or if your loved one’s health is deteriorating, it may be time to consider a nursing home.

Nursing Home vs Assisted Living: What’s the Difference?

Assisted Living

Assisted living communities are ideally designed for seniors who are capable of providing most of their own care but still need a helping hand with some daily living tasks. When your loved one moves to an assisted living facility, they are able to live largely independently.

Many assisted living facilities offer a wide range of recreational activities and on-site services. For example, it isn’t uncommon to find happy hours, restaurant-quality dining, and outings provided for residents.

Assistance is still available to assisted living residents, such as those who need help with laundry and housekeeping. If a senior needs help with daily medication management, assisted living communities offer those services, as well.

You can trust that your loved one will have access to assistance with common activities of daily living, ensuring that all of their needs are met.

Nursing Homes

Also called convalescent homes, nursing homes are specifically designed for those who require 24-hour residential care. Nursing home residents may suffer from physical or mental conditions that make full-time skilled nursing care a necessity.

This can include bathing, dressing, and other personal care, as well as medical care. These care services ensure that nursing home residents receive personalized attention based on their medical needs. Nursing home care is often synonymous with long-term care and can help prevent illnesses from worsening.

A Deeper Level of Care

Assisted living and nursing home facilities provide many of the same services, such as medication management and housekeeping, but differ in the latter being intended for residents who can no longer live independently.

Many seniors in skilled nursing facilities are wheelchair-bound or bedridden. Because of this, they have additional needs that must be met on a daily basis to ensure their health and safety. A nursing home may be the right choice if your loved one needs daily medical care to live comfortably.

There are times when an elderly person staying in an assisted living facility experiences declining health and has to be moved to a nursing facility. If you are faced with this decision and don’t know where to turn, we invite you to contact us right away.

Our specialists will be happy to speak with you and provide the guidance and direction you need. We have assisted many families in transitions like this, so don’t hesitate to reach out to us. It’s important to remember that you don’t have to face these difficult decisions on your own.

On-Site Medical Care

Nursing homes provide medical services that range from physical occupational and speech therapy to rehabilitation and respiratory care. When seniors transition to skilled nursing facilities, you can trust they will be well cared for at all times. This includes daily meals that are based on the nutritional needs of each resident.

Some seniors who require the care of nursing homes have suffered an injury or have a chronic medical condition. Fortunately, nursing home residents can get their medical care on-site. That’s one huge benefit nursing homes have over assisted living. Assisted living simply provides transportation services for residents to attend appointments.

Skilled nursing care aside, there are still plenty of activities available to ensure that personal needs are met. Oftentimes, nursing homes include designated common areas regularly used for church and community gatherings.

Is assisted living better than a nursing home?

Nursing homes and assisted living facilities both have their place in senior care. One is not necessarily better than the other. It all depends on the needs of the seniors who are transitioning from their homes.

Assisted living facilities are more suitable for residents who can still provide some of their own daily care, whereas nursing homes are better suited to those who cannot. Both residential services offer plenty of recreational activities and promote community interaction with new people.

However, the need for family is still encouraged for the well-being of residents. Seniors who move to a care facility or community are often leaving behind their homes of many years, along with a lifetime of memories.

Having familiar people in their lives can make their transition easier. It can also make a big difference in the overall health of the residents. It is therefore important to make time for family members who are moving to nursing homes or assisted living communities.

We Can Help

At Mary T, we understand how important it is to find the right residence for your loved one’s needs. We’re happy to help you along the way to ensure that you make the best decision for your family. If you or your loved one live in Minnesota or Arizona, contact us so that we can provide the direction you need.

Our senior care team has years of training and experience to ensure that you receive the very best help as you search for the best housing option for your family. As always, we look forward to serving you and hope to hear from you soon.