Long-term Care Resources 

Home Care

Home care is a great option for anyone living with a chronic illness or a condition inhibiting their ability

to independently perform daily activities. Home care entails one-to-one care services and is also referred to as companion care, non-medical care, and supportive care.

 

Services range from one-hour to 24-hour care.

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Payment options
Hourly rates range from $26-$43. Private pay, private long-term care policies, or VA Aid and Attendance Pension benefit may be a source of payment. Medicare does NOT pay for this type of care.

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Independent Living Communities

These living arrangements are campus-like and boast a luxurious, resort-style, low-maintenance lifestyle targeted to boomers and seniors who are in the early years of retirement. These individuals are still very active and independent. One of the biggest advantages of the independent living is that it allows seniors to make new friends and stay social.

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Payment options
This option is mostly private pay, although some government funding may be available through HUD’s Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program.

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Adult Family Homes

These have been an increasingly popular option for adults who are relatively independent and for those who require 24-hour supervision or care. In adult family homes, residents receive minimal to full care services in a home-like setting with up to three other adults.

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Generally small and often set up in private homes, adult family homes are operated by individuals or by families with children who live together with their resident clients as a family unit.

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Payment options
Private pay, Medicaid (in some situations), or private long-term care policies may be a source of payment.

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Assisted Living Facilities

Assisted living facilities are special facilities that span the gap between independent living and nursing homes. These facilities may be temporary or long-term housing. They are especially designed to help seniors who are mostly independent but need help with some of the activities of daily living.

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Most facilities include a safety alert system that can alert the care staff of an emergency. Residency can minimize the damage from a fall, stroke,or other health event.

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Midwest Family Care owns an assisted living facility, Autumn Winds Assisted Living. Head over to the Autumn Winds website to find out more.

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Payment options
Monthly rates range from $3,000 to $10,000. Payment options are mostly private pay, but some facilities take Medicaid. Contact the Autumn Winds staff for specific rates.

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Community-Based Residential Facilities

A community-based residential facility (CBRF) is a smaller version (5-20 individuals) of an assisted living community which provides room and board, supervision, and help for people who have trouble living by themselves. A CBRF is a step between living at home and living in a nursing home.

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Payment options
Monthly rates range from $3,000-$10,000. Private pay, private long-term care policies, possible funding through County Human Services or Social Services Department, nursing care may be covered by Medicare.

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Skilled Nursing Facilities

Staff at skilled nursing facilities provide around-the-clock skilled nursing care for the frail elderly who require a high level of medical care and assistance. Long-term care residents generally have acute needs and complex medical conditions that require routine nursing services. Residents typically share a room and are served meals in a central dining area unless they are too ill to participate. Activities are also available. Some facilities have a separate unit for Alzheimer’s residents.

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Payment options
Private-pay, Medicare, and Medicaid.

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Palliative Care

 
Palliative care teams are made up of doctors, nurses, and other professional medical caregivers, located often at the facility where a patient will first receive treatment. These professionals administer or oversee most of the ongoing comfort-care patients.

 

While palliative care can be administered in the home, it is most common to receive palliative care in an institution such as a hospital, extended care facility, or nursing home. There are no time restrictions.Palliative care can be received at any time, at any stage of illness whether it be terminal or not.

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Payment options
Since this service will generally be administered through your hospital or regular medical provider, it is likely that it is covered by your regular medical insurance.

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Hospice

 

Hospice programs far outnumber palliative care programs. Generally, once enrolled through a referral from the primary care physician, a patient’s hospice care program, which is overseen by a team of hospice professionals, is administered in the home.

 

Hospice often relies upon the family caregiver, as well as a visiting hospice nurse. While hospice can provide round-the-clock care in a nursing home, a specially equipped hospice facility, or, on occasion, in a hospital, this is not the norm. You must generally be considered to be terminal or within six months of death to be eligible for most hospice programs or to receive hospice benefits from your insurance.

 

Many hospice programs are covered under Medicare.

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