Types of Care
Scroll down for a more information on each type of care:
55+ Senior Apartments
Independent Living
Assisted Living
Personal Care Home
Memory Care
Skilled Nursing, SAR, SNF & Rehab
Short Term Stays/Respite
Adult Day Programs
Home Care
Home Health
Hospice & Palliative Care
55+ Senior Apartments
Apartment style living restricted by age, usually 55+. Generally, residents have their own apartment. With apartment styles that typically include studio and one-bedroom & two-bedroom floor plans with full kitchens. You can be as social or private as you choose. No health care services provided. However, residents are welcome to receive services from any outside agency, such as Home Care or Home Health.
Pricing & How it is covered:
Private Pay – Usually a 6 month - 1 year lease. Prices range from $500 - $1800+ monthly. No buy-in fees or long term leasing. They come in a range of costs, including subsidized housing for low-income older adults. Apartments are typically private pay but there are a few exceptions through the SOURCE / CCSP Program, or HUD.
Note: Medicare or Medicaid benefits do not cover independent living costs.
Services Typically Include:
No health care services provided.
Independent Living
Designed exclusively for seniors, generally 55+ or 62+, who are still able to manage their day-to-day routine independently and would enjoy the option of social opportunities and the benefit of additional security. Apartment style living. Generally, independent living residents have their own apartment. With apartment styles that typically include studio and one-bedroom & two-bedroom floor plans with full kitchens or kitchenettes that usually feature a small refrigerator and microwave. You can be as social or private as you choose. No health care services provided. However, residents are welcome to receive services from any outside agency, such as Home Care or Home Health. Independent Living offers a setting where social activities are available with few of the worries of home ownership, carefree lifestyle and free of everyday living responsibilities. Overall, this apartment style setting is more for active seniors who may benefit from increased socialization. Independent Living communities are also known as retirement communities, retirement homes, senior housing or senior apartments.
Pricing & How it is covered:
Private Pay – Month-to-Month Lease. Prices range from $1000-$3000+ monthly. No buy-in fees or long term leasing. They come in a range of costs, including subsidized housing for low-income older adults.
Note: Medicare or Medicaid benefits do not cover independent living costs.
Services Typically Include:
1-3 restaurant-style meals served in a community dining room
Activities
Basic housekeeping
Beauty and Barber salon
Exercise/Fitness Programs
Kitchens or kitchenettes in the apartment
Laundry services
Maintenance repairs
Offer a wide variety of non-medical services
Onsite services
Pets (usually a deposit is required)
Private 1 and 2 bedroom apartments
Social & Activity programs
Some utilities included, except local telephone services and cable
Swimming Pool
Transportation to medical appointments and shopping
Assisted Living
Assisted Living (ALC or PCH)
Designed for individuals who require assistance with everyday activities. For example: meals, medication management, housekeeping, laundry or assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, grooming, medication reminders and medication management in a more independent, residential “home-like” environment than a traditional nursing home. Staff available 24/7. Transportation especially to and from medical appointments but often to nearby restaurants and shopping, activities, recreational opportunities, trips and programs. Assisted Living is often viewed as the best of both worlds. Residents have as much independence as they want with the understanding that personal care and support services are available if they need them. The physical environment of an Assisted Living Community is often more appealing to both residents and their families. Generally, Assisted Living residents have their own apartment. With apartment styles that typically include studio and one-bedroom & two-bedroom floor-plans with kitchenettes that usually feature a small refrigerator and microwave. Assisted Living Communities vary in levels of care. Residents are typically assessed upon move in, or any time there is a change in condition. The assessment is used to develop an individualized plan of care. It is important to know what type of environment each assisted living community caters to so that your loved one will be most comfortable. Some residents may have memory disorders including Alzheimer’s, or they may need help with mobility, incontinence or other challenges. Residents may also receive coordination of care with health providers such as home care, home health and hospice.
Assisted Living is often less expensive than in-home care or nursing home care. Assisted Living community settings vary across the nation. An Assisted Living residence is more costly than Independent communities but usually less than memory care.
Assisted Living (ALC License)
***In the state of Georgia Assisted Living Homes are licensed by the Department of Human Resources, the Office of Regulatory Services under the Personal Care Home Rules and Regulations. The terms Assisted Living and Personal Care are interchangeable. However, in the senior industry people usually refer to smaller homes (licensed for 24 beds and fewer) as Personal Care Homes and larger ones as Assisted Living Homes. The rules governing both PCH and ALF have requirements for care including 24 hour watchful oversight, assistance with ADLs or activities of daily living, 3 meals and 2 snacks a day and many others. Those individuals entering this type of home cannot require skilled nursing care and must be ambulatory. These assisted living facilities have become a substitute for nursing homes and frequently provide many, though not all, of the same care services as a skilled nursing facility. There is a HUGE difference between PCH and ALC licensure. Much of it has to do with the way the building was built and/or modified. An ALC community is a true age in place community, where PCH will always have to maintain admission criteria (i.e. remain ambulatory or apply for a waiver. Each PCH community, regardless of their size can only have 3 waivers for their non-ambulatory residents. If your loved one is #4, they will most likely get a boot. This will never happen in ALC licensed facility as there are no waivers since the buildings are built with new Fire Safety Standards which have changed in 2014).
Note: An assessment, physician’s evaluation form within the past 30 days, a clear TB Test within the past 30 days OR a chest x-ray within the past 6 months to a year depending on the communities requirements.
Pricing & How it is covered:
Private Pay – Month-to-Month Lease, (pricing can be structured by all-inclusive rates, multi-level rates and/or base rent plus additional levels of care rates), Long Term Care Insurance, VA Benefits. Prices for Assisted Living vary with the residence, apartment size, and types of services needed. Prices range from $2000 – $6000 per month.
Note: Medicare or Medicaid benefits do not cover assisted living costs. (Note: beware of teaser rates, many communities are known to nickel and dime you once you move into a community. Also, beware of annual rate increases.)
Services Typically Include:
24-hour staffing
3 restaurant-style meals served in a community dining room
Alzheimer's care, secured communities
Assistance with activities of daily living (ADL’s), such as eating, bathing, dressing, using the restroom, and walking
Beauty and barber salon
Caregiver support & groups
Computers
Emergency call systems in the apartments
Exercise & wellness programs
Family engagement activities
Health and medical services, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home care, home health, and hospice
Housekeeping services
Incontinence care
Kitchens or kitchenettes in the apartment
Laundry services
Library
Maintenance repairs
Medication management
Memory care programing for residents with cognitive impairments such as short term memory care, dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's Disease, Lewy Body Dementia, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, etc.
Offer a wide variety of non-medical services
On-site physicians: dentist, in-house doctor, and podiatrist
Pets (usually a deposit is required)
Private 1 and 2 bedroom apartments.
Respite care or adult day care
Social & activity programs
Transportation to medical appointments and shopping
Shared/companion, studio, private 1 and 2 bedroom apartments
Special Diets
Support Groups
Personal Care Home &
Residential Personal Care Home
Designed for individuals who require assistance with everyday activities. For example: 3 meals and 2 snacks a day, medication management, housekeeping, laundry or assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, grooming, medication reminders and medication management in a more independent, residential “home-like” environment than a traditional nursing home. Staff available 24/7. Transportation especially to and from medical appointments but often to nearby restaurants and shopping, activities, recreational opportunities, trips and programs. The physical environment of a personal care home community is often more appealing to both residents and their families. With apartment styles or bedrooms that typically include studio and one-bedroom or two-bedroom styles. Personal Care Homes vary in levels of care. Residents are typically assessed upon move in, or any time there is a change in condition. The assessment is used to develop an individualized plan of care. Some residents may have memory disorders including Alzheimer’s, or they may need help with mobility, incontinence or other challenges. Because of the homes’ intimate settings, owners can often specialize in particular resident needs such as diabetes care, memory care, residents with special diets, as well as other needs. Residents may also receive coordination of care with health providers such as home care, home health and hospice.
The terms Assisted Living and Personal Care are interchangeable. However, in the senior industry people usually refer to smaller homes, licensed for 24 beds and fewer, as Personal Care Homes and larger ones as Assisted Living Homes. Residential personal care homes deliver Assisted Living type care in a smaller environment, usually a residential home. Due to their size, they have a higher ratio of caregivers to residents, which makes them ideal for more individual attention and care. Residential personal care homes are governed by the same state requirements as larger communities. Without the overhead of a larger community, residential personal care homes are generally the most affordable senior living option. This type of setting is a great option for residents who do not want to live in a larger community environment but still require a level of assistance similar to that offered by an assisted living facility or a nursing home. Those individuals entering this type of home cannot require skilled nursing care and must be ambulatory. A residential personal care home provides personal care services, room and board to up to six adults.
Residential Care Homes are known by several different names including: adult family homes, personal care homes, adult foster homes, group homes, or board and care homes. Personal Care Homes are often less expensive than in home care or nursing home care. Personal Care Home community settings vary across the nation. An personal care home residence is more costly than an independent living community, but usually less than memory care. Sometimes a small PCH is a better option than a large PCH/ALC. For example, a large PCH/ALC may require a family to bring in additional care to take care of their loved one, which will run up the monthly cost tremendously. If moved to smaller PCH, there is almost never a need for additional care as there is a minimum 1:6 staff to resident ratio.
Note: An assessment, physician’s evaluation form within the past 30 days, a clear TB Test within the past 30 days OR a chest x-ray within the past 6 months to a year depending on the communities requirements.
Pricing & How it is covered:
Private Pay – Month-to-Month Lease, (pricing can be structured by all-inclusive rates, multi-level rates and/or base rent plus additional levels of care rates), Long Term Care Insurance, VA Benefits. Residential Care Homes are typically private but there are a few exceptions through the CCSP/SOURCE Program. Prices for Assisted Living vary with the residence, apartment size, and types of services needed. Prices range from $1500 – $6000+ per month.
Note: Medicare or Medicaid benefits do not cover Personal Care Home costs.
Services Typically Include:
24-hour staffing
3 home cooked meals or restaurant style meals served in a dining room
Alzheimer's care, secured communities
Assistance with activities of daily living (ADL’s), such as eating, bathing, dressing, using the restroom, and walking
Beauty and barber salon
Caregiver support & groups
Computers
Emergency call systems in the rooms
Exercise & wellness programs
Family engagement activities
Health and medical services, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home care, home health, and hospice
Housekeeping services
Incontinence care
Kitchenettes in the apartment
Laundry services
Library
Maintenance repairs
Medication management
Memory Care Programing for residents with cognitive impairments such as short term memory care, dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's Disease, Lewy Body Dementia, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, etc.
Offer a wide variety of non-medical services
Social & activity programs
Shared/ companion, studio, private 1 and 2 bedroom apartments
Special diets
Memory Care
Designed specifically for residents with a level of cognitive impairment such as Alzheimer's Disease making it unsafe for him or her to continue to stay at home, who require assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as meals, medication management or assistance, bathing, dressing and with mobility in a more independent home-like environment than a traditional nursing home. Similar to Assisted Living in providing assistance with activities of daily living, Memory Care offers special programming designed to meet the needs of someone living with dementia. Many forms of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson's, Lewy Body Dementia, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, etc, who require 24-hour monitoring in a secured environment that ensures their safety and quality of life. It can be a stand-alone community or within an assisted living on a particular floor, area or wing which features monitored hallways, decorative visual cues and secured outdoor courtyards to encourage independence while keeping residents as safe as possible.
Activities focused on memory recall from past experiences are usually the staple of activities in these settings. Residents who are appropriate for this setting are usually the residents who have begun forgetting how to perform daily activities of life or who have been getting lost, wandering or going in other people’s rooms thinking it was their own. Memory Care allows a person experiencing memory loss to maintain a level of independence while relying on the safety and security of being in a residential environment with a staff trained to meet the special needs of those with memory impairment. Any type of dementia requires special care and understanding from the caregiver.
Typically, the residents live in private or semi-private rooms and have scheduled activities and programs designed to enhance memory, supervised by trained staff members. Safety is one of the greatest needs for many living in Memory Care Communities. Most Memory Care communities will have safety measures in place such as alarmed or locked doors and wandering monitoring systems. Residents may also receive coordination of care with health providers such as home care, home health and hospice.
Note: An assessment, physician’s evaluation form within the past 30 days, a clear TB Test within the past 30 days OR a chest x-ray within the past 6 months to a year depending on the communities requirements.
Pricing & How it is covered:
Private Pay – Month-to-Month Lease, (pricing can be structured by all-inclusive rates, multi-level rates and/or base rent plus additional levels of care rates), Long Term Care Insurance, VA Benefits. Prices for Memory Care vary with the residence, apartment size, and types of services needed. Prices range from $3000 – $7000 per month. The basic rate may cover all services or there may be additional charges for special services. Many have all-inclusive pricing, due to the fact that the daily needs of a loved one with memory care can change day to day. Memory Care is often less expensive than in home care or nursing homes.
Note: Medicare or Medicaid benefits do not cover Memory Care costs.
Services Typically Include:
Alzheimer's Care
24-hour staffing and secured community
3 restaurant-style meals served in a community dining room
Assistance with activities of daily living (ADL’s), such as eating, bathing, dressing, using the restroom, and walking
Beauty and barber salon
Caregiver support & groups
Emergency call systems in the apartments
Exercise & wellness programs
Family engagement activities
Health and medical services, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home care, home health, and hospice
Housekeeping services
Incontinence care
Laundry services
Library
Maintenance repairs
Medication management
Memory care programing for residents with cognitive impairments such as short term memory care, dementia, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's Disease, Lewy Body Dementia, Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, etc.
Offer a wide variety of non-medical services
On-site physicians: dentist, in-house doctor, and podiatrist
Respite care or adult day care
Shared/companion, studio, private 1 bedroom apartments
Social & activity programs
Special diets
Support groups
Skilled Nursing, SAR, SNF & Rehab
Rehab - 24-hour skilled nursing care for seniors on a short term basis with a focus on Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy or Speech Therapy.
Nursing Home - 24-hour skilled nursing care for seniors on a long-term basis.
Nursing Homes, also referred to as rehab, skilled nursing facilities (SNF), sub-acute rehab (SAR), long-term acute care (LTAC), is a clinical setting with residents who are under 24-hour care of licensed or registered nursing staff. Seniors who require a great deal of help with activities of daily living (ADLs), such as getting in and out of bed, and providing assistance with feeding, bathing and dressing, or suffer from debilitating complex medical problems, may need the level of care available to them in these skilled nursing facilities. Facilities serve between 30 to 200 residents and typically offer private rooms with a single bed, as well as shared rooms with two to four beds. Normally the highest level of care for older adults outside of a hospital. A nursing home is the highest care environment for today’s seniors that require skilled nursing services of a physician, nurse (RN, LPN, CNA), social worker, physical therapist, occupational therapist or a respiratory therapist on the premises. A nursing home is usually used more for a short term rehabilitation stay vs. as a long term care facility option unless the senior is on a Medicaid program.
Medicare only covers limited stays in nursing homes when certain conditions are met. Skilled nursing or rehabilitation services are covered for a limited short period after a hospitalization. Medicare does not cover custodial care (such as assistance with feeding, bathing and dressing) if that is the only care needed. Most seniors will never need a nursing home due to the increased services that assisted living communities now perform.
Pricing & How it is covered:
Medicare, Medicaid, Private Pay or Long Term Care Insurance. Covered by Medicare 1-20 at 100%, 21-100 at 80%, the rest covered by a secondary insurance or co-pay. After 100 days the patient is discharged and stays longer it becomes private pay ranging from $6000-$9000 per month, or by Medicaid, LTC. If the income and assets are limited under $2199, the patient may be eligible for Medicaid, which covers most of the costs of nursing home care. However, not all nursing homes accept Medicaid. If you suspect that you may need extended nursing home care in the future, you may want to contact an elder law attorney to learn more about which assets are protected and to what extent.
Services Typically Include:
24-hour staffing
3 restaurant-style meals served in a community dining room or your room
Alzheimer's care, secured communities
Assistance with activities of daily living (ADL’s), such as eating, bathing, dressing, using the restroom, and walking
Beauty and barber salon
Caregiver support & groups
Computers
Emergency call systems in the apartments
Exercise & wellness programs
Health and medical services, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy
Housekeeping services
Incontinence care
Laundry services
Medication management
On-site physicians: dentist, in-house doctor, and podiatrist
Social & activity programs
Special diets
Short Term Stays/Respite
Short Term Stays or Respite are designed as a short term stay in an Assisted Living, Personal Care Home or Memory Care Community. Usually paying a daily rate. Some communities may require a minimum number of days to stay. This opportunity allows primary caregivers a break or gives the residents a trial stay to get acquainted with the community. This is ideal for residents who require assistance with everyday activities for example, meals, medication management, housekeeping, laundry or assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, dressing, grooming, medication reminders and medication management in a more independent, residential “home-like” environment than a traditional nursing home. *Click on Assisted Living, Personal Care Home or Memory Care to see all that is included.
Pricing & How it is covered:
Private Pay – daily rate, Long Term Care Insurance & VA Benefits. Prices for respite vary with the residence, apartment size, and types of services needed. Prices ranging from $75-250 per day. Some communities also offer a discounted rate and have a Step Down Program from the hospital to get adjusted or go back home.
Note: Medicare or Medicaid benefits do not cover assisted living costs.
Services Typically Include:
24-hour staffing
3 restaurant-style meals served in a community dining room
Alzheimer's care, secured communities
Assistance with activities of daily living (ADL’s), such as eating, bathing, dressing, using the restroom, and walking
Beauty and barber salon
Caregiver support & groups
Computers
Emergency call systems in the apartments
Exercise & wellness programs
Family engagement activities
Health and medical services, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, home care, home health and hospice
Housekeeping services
Incontinence care
Kitchens or kitchenettes in the apartment
Laundry services
Library
Maintenance repairs
Medication management
Memory care for residents with cognitive impairments, such as memory care, dementia
Offer a wide variety of non-medical services
On-site physicians: dentist, in-house doctor, and podiatrist
Personal laundry services
Private 1 and 2 bedroom apartments.
Respite care or adult day care
Social & activity programs
Transportation to medical appointments and shopping
Shared/companion, studio, private 1 and 2 bedroom apartments
Special diets
Support groups
Adult Day Programs
Designed to provide daytime supervision, activities, food and entertainment to adults who experience physical or cognitive difficulties, yet are capable of living at home with some assistance in a community group setting. Adult Day Stay services are available to help caregivers keep family members and loved ones at home for as long as possible. Participants receive quality care and social interaction while families and caregivers are afforded valuable relief (respite). They provide social engagement and assistance to fulfill the physical and emotional needs of seniors.
Pricing & How it is covered:
Private Pay with a daily rate, some will accept vouchers. Pricing ranging from $40 – $150 per day. Some long-term care insurance policies cover Adult Day Stay services.
Services Typically Include:
Arts & crafts, games, etc.
Assistance with medications
Assistance with personal care
Caregiver support & groups
Group activities & exercise
Nutritious meals and snacks
Physical, occupational and speech therapy available
Socialization
Transportation
Home Care
Designed to help seniors remain at home longer. Whether that is in independent living, assisted living, memory care community, nursing home or private home. Home care is non-medical support that helps with activities of everyday life from 2 – 24 hours a day, seven days a week and live-in services. In-home assistance based on frequency and level of needs, may include assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). Home care may be appropriate if a senior needs minor assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs) include bathing, dressing, and meal preparation but may also extend to assistance with transportation, paying bills, making appointments, and simply being there to provide companionship and emotional support. Some companies offer skilled nursing options, wound care, caregivers and over night caregivers. If the assistance they need is not medically related (sometimes referred to as custodial care) such as helping with medications or injections or therapy programs, (injections, i.e. diabetes/Proxy Care) a caregiver can provide the assistance necessary to remain independent.
There IS a difference between home health care and home care services.
Both can provide care in the home. Because each agency focuses on different tasks and services, they often complement each other. It is important that the two agencies communicate changes and observations to each other for continuity of care. It should be communicated to the home care agency if home health is providing temporary home health aids for baths to avoid overlapping services. Because home health is monitored by a physician, the plan of care should be followed as ordered. Home care schedules are set by the client or family and can be discontinued when they feel services are no longer needed. *This information is provided by CaraVita Home Care.
Pricing & How it is covered:
Private Pay – Long Term Care Insurance, VA Benefits. Prices for Assisted Living vary with the number of hours needed. Prices range from $18 - $26 / per hour.
No physician orders are needed to start home care.
Note: Medicare or Medicaid benefits do not cover home care costs.
Services Typically Include:
24-hour staffing
Assistance with activities of daily living (ADL’s), such as eating, bathing, dressing, feeding, using the restroom, and walking.
Bookkeeping services
Engagement, such as going on walks and encouraging and participating in stimulating activities, creating meaningful activities/moments especially with memory impaired clients, creating a Life Story prior to care which gives caregivers an idea about their family, education, where they lived and hobbies.
Family education
Helping with correspondence to family and friends
Health maintenance (proxy care), i.e. care with ostomies, catheters and feeding tubes
Hospital to home programs - helping the senior either transition back to senior living community or private residence.
Incontinence care
Laundry services
Light housekeeping services
Meal Preparation according to client’s dietary needs, nutritional support & proper hydration
Medication reminders & management
Personal laundry services
Pet care
Providing care relief (respite) for family caregivers
Providing socialization, friendship and support for the client
Restorative/mobility exercises
Social & activity programs
Supervising ambulation and helping to prevent falls
Support groups
Transportation to medical appointments, shopping & errands
Wide variety of non-medical services
Home Health
Designed to be a collection of services incorporating one or more of the following medically necessary, part-time or intermittent services: skilled nursing care, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, medical social services and home health aide services for use at home. The services help seniors live independently as long as possible and can often delay the need for long-term nursing home care. In-home assistance based on frequency and level of needs, may include assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), such a dressing and bathing. Helps seniors remain at home longer. Whether that is in their home, assisted living, personal care home or community. Some companies offer skilled nursing options, wound care and sitters. Home Health Care is medically-focused care which is covered by Medicare or other types of health insurance and must be prescribed by a doctor. When a patient qualifies for nursing or therapy in their home, he or she may also receive the help of a home health aide for non-medical assistance like bathing and dressing. The visits from a Home Health agency are usually a few times a week and typically one hour or less.
There IS a difference between home health care and home care services.
Both can provide care in the home. Because each agency focuses on different tasks and services, they often complement each other. It is important that the two agencies communicate changes and observations to each other for continuity of care. It should be communicated to the home care agency if home health is providing temporary home health aids for baths to avoid overlapping services. Because home health is monitored by a physician, the plan of care should be followed as ordered. Home care schedules are set by the client or family and can be discontinued when they feel services are no longer needed. *This information is provided by CaraVita Home Care.
Pricing & How it is covered:
Medicare and private health insurance cover home health costs. With a recertification period of 60 days and approved by Medicare or insurance for an additional 60 days.
A physician's order is needed to begin home health services.
Note: Private pay does not cover home health costs.
Services Typically Include:
Assistance with activities of daily living (ADL’s), such as eating, bathing, dressing, using the restroom, and walking
Housekeeping services
Incontinence Care
Medication management
Offer a wide variety of non-medical services
Personal laundry services
Social & Activity programs
Support Groups
Hospice & Palliative Care
Hospice is designed to provide non-curative treatment and comfort those who are facing a life-limiting illness. It offers a support system of medical, social, psychological, and spiritual services that promotes dignity and affirms quality of life. It provides comfort, dignity, quality of life, and time to those facing terminal illnesses such as Alzheimer's, cancer, COPD, dementia, heart disease or renal failure, etc. The hospice care benefit is intended primarily for any individual whose life expectancy is 6 months of less, should the illness run its usual course. However, the Medicare program recognized that not all terminal illness have a predictable course; therefore, the benefit is available for extended periods of time beyond six months. Hospice is one of the most underutilized and misunderstood Medicare benefits. Hospice care has a significant, positive impact on patients and their families. So why aren’t more people taking advantage of this important end-of-life benefit? Largely because patients and their families often are not aware of all that hospice can offer, or the many diagnoses that can qualify a patient for hospice care. This comprehensive and specialized care allows the patient, family and other loved ones to make choices about what is important to them.
Palliative Care is an area of healthcare that focuses on relieving and preventing the suffering of patients. Unlike hospice care, patients do not have to be diagnosed as terminally ill. Patients can be at any stage of a life-threatening disease’s cycle. Palliative care uses a multidisciplinary approach to patient care that includes spiritual, physical, emotional, and social concerns that arise with advanced disease.
Services may be provided in Independent Living, Assisted Living, Personal Care or Memory Care Communities as well as at home. They can also be in a stand alone In-Patient Unit (IPU).
Pricing & How it is covered:
Covered by Medicare as well as most Medicaid and commercial insurance plans.
Services Typically Include:
Assistance with activities of daily living (ADL’s), such as eating, bathing, dressing, using the restroom, and walking
Attending physician
Bereavement counselors
Caregiver support & groups
Chaplin services
Exercise & wellness programs, physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy
Home health aides
Hospice care physician
Hospice care nurses
Incontinence care & supplies
Life expectancy
Medication management
Offer a wide variety of non-medical services
Pain and symptom management
Patient and family satisfaction
Visiting physician
Respite care or inpatient unit care
Social Worker services
Special diets
Spiritual services
Unnecessary hospitalizations
Volunteer services
