Full Description

Are Tough Choices Ahead?

You love your parents and remember them as strong and in control. But now, they need your help. They cannot take care of themselves the way they once could and it is up to you to make sure they stay safe and healthy. Understanding the choices available to help you to help them is what Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities is all about.

Depending on what your loved one needs, the many care options available are explored. Learn which type of care, from adult day care to home health care is best for your situation. If a greater level of need is required, the differences between assisted living facilities and nursing homes are explained.

Knowing your choices is only the first step. Making a decision and easing a loved one’s pain into this new arrangement can be emotionally challenging. Use this book to help you and other family members:
--Discuss long-term care
--Ask the right questions
--Locate facilities
--Discuss financial arrangements
--Evaluate nursing homes
--Make the transition

Now is not the time for you to feel guilty. You are doing the right thing when you make a decision that best suits your loved one, your financial well-being and your family. Let Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities make the process a little easier.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgment

Introduction -

Chapter 1: Senior Lifestyle Options
Active Adult Community
Independent Living/Retirement Community
Home Health Care
Assisted Living
Long-Term Skilled Care (Nursing) Facility
Continuing Care Retirement Communities
Adult Day Care
Respite Care
Hospice

Chapter 2: Introducing the Subject of Long-Term Care
Assessing the Need for a Lifestyle Change
The Resistant Resident
Family Issues
Advance Medical Directives
Medical Evaluation
Mental Health Evaluation
Geriatric Care Managers

Chapter 3: Locating the Appropriate Facility or Services -
Doctor Recommendations
Social Service Provider Recommendations
Senior Advocacy and Health Care Organizations
State Ombudsman

Chapter 4: Evaluating the Facility
Visiting a Facility
Nursing Home Compare
State Offices
Evaluating Assisted Living Facilities
World Wide Web

Chapter 5: Questions to Ask -
Geographical Location
Preliminary Questions
Licensing and Records of Violations
Assessments and Care Planning
Health Care Staff
Aides
Contract Terms and Fees
Placement Interview/Admission
Room Placements
Visitors
Cleanliness
Meals
Special Services
Quality of Living Space
Personal Property
Laundry and Housekeeping
Disputes and Grievances
Activities
Conveniences
Amenities
Behavioral Concerns
Safety
Security
Prevention of Abuse
Emergency Situations
Pre-Admission and Admission Checklist
Treatment of Residents Checklist
Life at the Facility Checklist
Safety, Sanitary, and Security Concerns Checklist

Chapter 6: Considering Financial Options-
Private Pay
Insurance
Medicare
Medigap
Medicaid
Community Organizations
Veterans Health Administration
Hill-Burton Facilities

Chapter 7: Making the Transition
Orientation
Resident Assessment
Written Care Plan
Family

Chapter 8: Handling Problems with the Facility -
Residents’ Rights
Grievances
Abuse

Conclusion -

Glossary -

Appendix A: State Senior Agencies & State Nursing Home Survey Agencies -

Appendix B: State Nurse Aide Registries -

Appendix C: Elder Abuse Reporting Numbers -

Appendix D: State Medicaid Offices

Appendix E: Additional Resources

Appendix F: Selected Federal Regulations Relating to Skilled Care Facilities -

Appendix G: Sample State Laws Relating to Assisted Living Facilities and
Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) -

Appendix H: The Nursing Home Reform Act -

Appendix I: Sample Forms -

Index - -

About the Author

Excerpt

Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Customer Reviews: