In an earlier blog, I wrote about the signs that it’s time to consider a move to a senior living community—whether assisted living or memory care. Yet, there are so many other types of care which include personal care, respite or recuperative care, assisted care, and even skilled nursing care. This care is given in an array of settings, for young and old alike. It’s important to know all of the options whenever more care is needed than we can give or receive from our loved ones. We’ll start from the lowest and move to the greatest levels of care, and in which places they are offered.
Home Health Care
This includes skilled nursing and therapy services provided in the home by registered nurses (RN), licensed physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathology, as well as certified nursing assistants (CNAs), and medical social workers. This may include skilled medical services and therapy services required after a hospital or skilled nursing facility stay to allow you to successfully return to your home.
Home Health is especially helpful when a person will soon return to an active lifestyle and remain in their home. This type of care is provided by our Careage Home Health teams, in King County, WA, and soon-to-come to Pierce and Thurston Counties.
Independent Retirement Living
These communities offer a hassle-free lifestyle with an array of services to fit your wants and needs, ranging from everyday meals and housekeeping to luxe amenities like a Jacuzzi spa and pool.
At Patriot’s Landing, located in DuPont, WA, our cottages and apartments offer all the benefits of being in your own home, without the worry of maintenance, chores, or even cooking. Our communities focus on a comfortable, private independent lifestyle, but offer you peace of mind if you should need assistance.
Assisted Living Communities
Assisted Living is the ideal solution for those who value their independence, yet need some assistance with daily activities, including help with personal care needs and some healthcare services. These are specially designed to be a warm and caring option for those who still need a little extra support and assistance but don’t require the intensive service of a skilled nursing facility.
At our Careage assisted living communities, such as Bellevue’s Patriots Glen, at Patriots Landing, or The Lakes at Banning, CA residents are still very active but appreciate the freedom from such daily tasks as housekeeping, meals, or managing medications. Our residents enjoy an array of social activities and wellness programs to keep them both mentally and physically fit.
Memory Care Communities
Those living with dementia have unique needs to ensure their highest quality of life. The Careage Memory Care communities at Patriots Glen, Patriots Landing, and The Lakes at Banning offer a higher ratio of staff to residents than other types of care, honoring our residents in a safe and nurturing environment, with programs designed specifically to maximize the quality of life. They include features such as secured exits and enhanced visual cues (such as signs or pictures) designed to help residents feel more oriented in their surroundings.
It’s important to note that while assisted living and memory care have distinctly different requirements, our Careage communities offer these extended levels of care, co-located to one another. We do so because this allows many couples and loved ones to remain in close proximity despite different healthcare needs.
Rehabilitative, Skilled Nursing Care
Have you recently completed joint replacement surgery or will be discharged from the hospital following a medical event, such as a heart attack or stroke? Rehab facilities, such as Mission Healthcare in Bellevue or Renton, are an important bridge offered between the hospital and home. These facilities feature typically short-term stays, allowing patients to recover more fully, and for them or their loved ones to learn adaptive skills or gain vital self-care skills.
It’s definitely a smoother and safer transition for you and your loved ones to anticipate the need for these differing levels of care before your needs change, rather than as a result. At Careage, we are wholly dedicated to creating places for people to explore, thrive, and, live their lives as they wish. Whether you will be undergoing joint replacement or a heart procedure, or if you are wrestling with the signs that it’s time to consider a higher level of care for yourself or a loved one, we can help you consider your options.
Sandra Hayes is a healthcare administrator with more than 35 years of expertise in skilled nursing, assisted living, memory care, and home health. Sandra joined the Careage family of communities in 2014 as the Executive Director of Patriots Landing. In 2016, she applied her skills as Vice President of Business Development and Corporate Compliance at Careage.