Care Options for the Elderly

Finding a dependable caretaker for your elderly loved one can be a difficult task. When your loved one cannot care for herself anymore and you are not able to care for her at home, you must consider long-term care options. Some facilities are set up like a hospital, while others maintain a homelike atmosphere. There are many options for elderly care, but it's important that you have the information you need to make the best choice.

Home Care

• For seniors who want to stay at home but need assistance with daily care, home care is a good option. With home care, seniors receive assistance from home health aides, visiting nurses and other medical personnel. Home-care services are often provided through a home-care agency, which schedules visits from home-care aides and professional nurses for assistance with bathing, cooking, appointment transportation and wound care. Home-care agencies also offer physical therapy visits when prescribed by a physician. Medicare and Medicaid cover some home-care costs for conditions that require home-care assistance.

Assisted Living

• Assisted living facilities are a unique option for seniors, because they offer additional amenities to room and board, such as on-site beauty shops, libraries and coffee shops. Some facilities offer different price levels, depending on the senior's needs and budget. Nursing assistants and nurses help with medication, bathing, dressing and other everyday activities. Assisted living is a good choice for seniors who still enjoy an active lifestyle. Senior citizens can choose recreational activities, such as bingo, card-playing and day trips. Most insurance policies cover assisted living for a limited amount of time, so consider this option if you have additional resources to pay for assisted living care.

Personal Care Home

• Personal care homes have been a popular care choice for many years. These homes provide a homelike atmosphere with a focus on community activities. Care homes are a common choice for seniors who can't live alone anymore but don't want to live in a large facility. Medical care is limited, so consider this choice if your loved one doesn't need specialized care on a daily basis. Housing, meals, medication administration and transportation are provided in personal care homes. Personal care homes are especially beneficial for seniors who thrive in group settings and get along well with others. Medicare and Medicaid offer financial assistance for personal care homes if the home meets their standards of care.

Nursing Home

• Families often choose nursing homes for loved ones who need the highest level of specialized care, including post-hospital care, intravenous therapy, dementia care and rehabilitative therapy. Most nursing homes offer semi-private rooms, meals and activities. A physician monitors each resident's plan of care, while nurses administer medications, perform wound treatments and monitor the patient's condition 24 hours a day. Medicare and Medicaid pay for nursing home care if a hospital physician confirms the need for specialized care and the facility is Medicare certified. Nursing home costs can be expensive, so call your medical insurance provider to see if nursing home care is covered under your loved one's policy.