What is the best long-term care facility? Key factors to consider.

For someone with health issues that require them to receive medical care, or otherwise necessitate them aging outside their home, what type of long-term facility is best?

Fortunately, there are numerous long-term care housing options, each of which have different pros and cons depending on an individual’s health situation. Whether someone is looking to move in the near term or researching options ahead of time, they can find an overview of types of long-term care facilities, as well as factors to consider in choosing them, below: 

• Board and Care Homes (BCH): Small private residential homes that are state licensed and must meet state regulations. Each state is different, but most homes usually have 20 or fewer residents. Depending on the size, resident rooms may be private or shared. Nonmedical services are provided at each site such as assistance with activities of daily living, meals, and activities. Typically, Medicare services are contracted out and are not provided as an included service.

• Assisted Living: Larger residential facilities for individuals who need help with activities of daily living. Residents can receive both medical and nonmedical services. The level of care varies based on need. There are congregate meals, activities and community services offered. If you or someone you are caring for are considering assisted living, check out this assisted living checklist courtesy of AARP.

• Nursing Homes: Also known as Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNFs) which provide the highest level of medical care with 24-hour supervision and nonmedical care. Rehabilitation services such as physical, occupational and speech therapy are also available.

• Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs): Also known as life plan communities because they offer various levels of services in one location, CCRCs provide independent housing, assisted living, skilled nursing care and memory care. This can be attractive for spouses that enter independent living together. If one or the other is in need of additional services, they can remain on the same campus receiving different levels of care. Depending on the level of service, both medical and nonmedical services are provided. There are many activities and community programs as well. 

Now that you have an idea of what housing options are available, let’s focus on the key factors to consider when researching facilities. 

Find a facility that provides the level of care needed

Since different housing options provide different levels of care, social interactions, and environments, it is important to understand needs. The level of health care and nonmedical services needed either now or in the future will be a key deciding factor in the type of housing that suits a person best. 

• A primary care physician can evaluate someone to determine the level of health care needed today or in the future. For example, if a loved one was diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s, they may not require 24/7 care now, but most likely will as the disease progresses. 

• Paying for long-term care in the home or in a facility is expensive, with complex Medicare rules. Learn more about payment options by clicking here.

Find a facility with the greatest quality of care

While this requires some research, there are resources available to help you identify facilities with a high level of care quality. 

• Research facilities with state licenses and inspection records. You can find this information online with your Area Agency on Aging or with your state’s long-term care ombudsman resource center. 

• The number of full-time registered nurses and other medical professionals on staff is an indicator of quality. Ask about the type and frequency of their training. These full-time resources have a direct impact on residents’ health outcomes. If there are full-time clinicians onsite, the likelihood of emergency department visits decreases along with unnecessary hospital admissions. Search for nursing homes rated 1-5 using Medicare.gov’s Nursing Home Compare tool.

• The more someone can visit the facility and interact with the staff, residents and family members, the better. This will provide the opportunity to make observations of the quality of care that the facility provides. 

Find a facility that supports your quality of life values

Determining what living environment will provide someone with the greatest quality of life is key. Moving at any age is a very big change, which is why picking a facility where a person will thrive in both mentally and physically is so important.

• If activities and socialization are priorities, ask about how engaged residents are with social events. 

• If access to technology is a priority, ask about how a facility supports internet access and modalities.

• If being near to and getting visits from family and friends are important, ask about visitor policy. 

• Also, be sure to ask how their facility empowers their residents’ unique values and quality of life. 

If you are looking for additional assistance identifying the right long-term care options, talk to our concierge service here at Peacefully. The concierge service can help with referrals to trusted professionals, offering case-specific advice, recommendations and coordination for you. For more about our concierge service or to schedule a free consultation, click here.

— Lesley Hellow