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There is a wide range of options for today’s
seniors who are needing assistance with daily
living. In Whatcom and Skagit counties alone
there are over 100 licensed senior care
facilities and home care agencies. These options
include everything from friendly visits at home
to 24 skilled nursing care. With this variety it
is important that you understand the differences
in care settings as well as your particular
needs and preferences. Each facility will offer
a unique lifestyle and approach to providing
care. This is where experts such as Elder
Services NW can help!
Adult Family Homes
An Adult Family Homes (AFH) is a private home
that is licensed to care for up to six adults in
a regular house in a residential neighborhood.
Residents can have either a private or shared
bedroom and take meals and activities in the
common areas of the home. Assistance with
activities of daily living such as bathing,
dressing, and medication assistance are
provided. Some AFHs specialize in specific types
of care needs such as dementia or mental health.
Each AFH will have a unique feel to it based on
the physical layout and the population the AFH
has chosen to serve. A home like atmosphere and
close supervision are major benefits of living
in an AFH.
Assisted Living/Boarding Homes
Assisted Living facilities, also known as
boarding homes, offer assistance with daily care
needs as well as meals and social activities.
Just as with adult family homes, each assisted
living offers a distinct lifestyle and set of
services. Some assisted livings provide a full
calendar of activities and fine dining, while
others may focus on providing a higher level of
care. Some have nurses on site 24 hours while
others may chose to serve a more independent set
of residents. Again, knowing your own needs and
preferences, and matching them to a specific
facility is the key to a successful move.
Retirement Communities/Independent Living
Facilities
Retirement communities and independent living
facilities are offer seniors varying levels of
non-medical support. Meals are generally
included as are housekeeping, activities, and
transportation. Retirement living residents are
generally able to function independently as
staff is not allowed to assist with personal
care tasks such as medication reminders or
bathing assistance. Depending on the community’s
policy, a home care agency or private caregiver
can provide personal care assistance in the
apartment. Some assisted living facilities have
a retirement section to their community.
Nursing Homes (Skilled Nursing Facilities)
Nursing homes provide 24-hour supervised nursing
care, personal care, therapy, nutrition
management, organized activities, social
services, room, board and laundry. In addition
to long term care, many people go to nursing
homes for rehabilitation or for short-term,
intensive nursing care. Often people get better
or decide they want to return home and get
services there. For those who require more
assistance than is available at home, a move to
an assisted living community or adult family
home is in order.
Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)
A Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) is
a residential community for adults that offers a
range of housing options (normally independent
living through nursing home care) and varying
levels of medical and personal care services. A
CCRC is designed to meet a resident’s needs in a
familiar setting as he/she grows older. People
most often move into such a community when
they’re healthy.
A CCRC resident has to sign a long-term contract
that provides for housing, personal care,
housekeeping, yard care and nursing care. This
contract typically involves either an entry fee
or buy-in fee in addition to monthly service
charges, which may change according to the
medical or personal care services required. Fees
vary depending on whether the person owns or
rents the living space, its size and location,
the type of service plan chosen, and the current
risk for needing intensive long-term care.
Because the contracts are lifelong and fees
vary, it is important to get financial and legal
advice before signing. Currently there are no
CCRCs operating in Whatcom County. |
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"My goal is to walk
beside families every
step of the way to
ensure a smooth
transition to senior
living."
Mark Robinson,
Elder Care Advisor |
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