Types of Placement
Generally, nursing homes offer a variety of services, including:
- Long term care
- Short term intensive rehabilitation
- Short term terminal care
The basic differences are the expected length of stay and the level of care needed during the stay. Your hospital social worker or a community health consultant (if the senior is at home) can help explain the differences and suggest which nursing homes match your needs.
“Light” and “Heavy”– Levels of Long Term Care
Nursing homes may differ in the level of care they offer. The law requires seniors to be given a medical assessment, called a PRI/SCREEN, before they enter a skilled nursing facility. The PRI indicates the level of care and type of facility needed. Levels of care needed are sometimes described as “light” (less care needed) and “heavy” (more care needed).
How Is Care Funded?
In Monroe County, NY, nursing home fees range from $4,000 to $7,000 per month. There are four different methods used to pay these fees:
- Private finances
- Health insurance
- Medicare
- Medicaid
While many seniors are discharged from hospitals to nursing homes expecting Medicare to pay for nursing home costs, this is not always the case. Medicare will not pay for nursing home care when custodial care only is required. According to Medicare rules, skilled nursing care, performed by licensed nursing personnel under the direction of a doctor, must be required on a daily basis.
Alternatives to Nursing Homes
Alternatives to nursing homes include in-home care and retirement communities, as well as:
- Independent living apartments. Independent living apartments are ideal for seniors who do not need personal or medical care but who would like to live with other seniors who share similar interests. In most independent living facilities seniors can take advantage of planned community events, field trips, shopping excursions and on-premise projects. These apartments are not licensed or regulated.
- Adult homes. Adult homes are licensed and regulated for temporary or long-term residence by adults unable to live independently. They usually include supervision, personal care, housekeeping, and three meals a day.
- Enriched housing. Enriched housing is similar to adult homes, with the exception that seniors live in independent housing units. They offer a minimum of one meal per day and are licensed by the State Department of Health.
- Family-type homes. Family-type homes offer long-term residential care, housekeeping, and supervision for four or fewer adults unrelated to the operator. The department of Social Services oversees their operations.
- Assisted living program (ALP). An excellent alternative to nursing homes for seniors who need help with their daily routines, but who do not need 24-hour care. Room, board, case management, and skilled nursing services come from an outside agency. This program accepts Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and home relief recipients.
- Continuing care retirement communities. Continuing care communities offer a continuum of living options, from independent living, enriched living, assisted living, and skilled nursing home, all on one campus. Residents can move from one level of care to the next as needs change. Transitions to different levels of care are easier because people are able to remain in familiar surroundings. In addition, spouses who age at different paces may also remain near each other. The Highlands at Pittsford is Strong Health’s continuing care retirement community, offering independent living in cottage and apartment homes, enriched living in Laurelwood, and skilled nursing at The Living Center.
- Nursing home (or skilled nursing facility). Nursing homes offer 24-hour a day care for those who can no longer live independently. In nursing homes, trained medical professionals provide specialized care to seniors with severe illnesses or injuries. Specially trained staff assist residents with daily activities such as bathing, eating, laundry and housekeeping. They may specialize in short-term or acute nursing care, intermediate care or long-term skilled nursing care.