 Who We Are
In the world of elderly care, there are so many types of living
facilities that even professionals in the field do not always know the
differences.
Let us help you understand what these facilities generally offer
with a few brief descriptions.
The world of elder care and services can be very
confusing with so many options yet none that quite fit what you have in
mind. Subtle differences between types of facilities can be very
important but hard to understand or quantify. There is no single
source of reliable information to sort through some of this terminology.
Many solutions exist to match each
elder's needs and style. To start, we will
describe a broad range of options, then how Mount Pleasant fits into
these categories.
Understanding appropriate elder care options is more art than science.
It requires combining factual
information about health and clinical needs, financial data about costs
and resources, as well as very personal considerations about an elder’s
preferences and values.
Here is a simplified
list of options available in Massachusetts:
In-Home Services
Moving to a new home is not fun, even when it is by choice. Most
older people prefer to remain where they are for as long as possible.
Whether living in the same place for many years or moving to a new
setting, facing the changes that accompany aging is a challenge. Beyond
the help provided by family and friends, many elders manage their changing
needs by having services brought in.
Available services
include meal
delivery or preparation,
shopping, bill-paying, cleaning services, personal care, and home health
services. These services are
available for a few hours a month for cleaning to personal care or skilled
nursing services for several hours a day.
There
are many ways to remain in place, but multiple needs can become
challenging. Coordinating services, costs, and means of payment vary
greatly. Risks associated with living
alone and the jeopardy created by social isolation can require
consideration of other
options.
Resource Referral and Care Management
Elder care specialists
are consulted for possible solutions to match a senior's health, financial
situation, and living options. Professional care
managers are geriatric specialists who obtain in-home care and provide
coordination services.
Adult Day Programs
Elders in need of
social, nutritional, and/or medical services may go out on a routine basis
to receive services at a Social Day Care Program or an Adult Day Health
Center. Adult Day Health includes medical screening, monitoring,
medications, and therapy services. Transportation is often available.
Some programs are subsidized for low income elders.
Assisted Living
Massachusetts has had
certified Assisted Living facilities (licensed by the state
(Executive Office of Elder Affairs) for about a decade, which serve as a
social model for providing services and housing as the market grows.
These new facilities provide apartments within multi-unit facilities that
include a variety of support services such as meals, housekeeping, and
limited amounts of personal care. While the vast majority of units are
paid for privately, there are also a limited number of low income units,
which sometimes require two residents to share a single unit.
Residential Care Homes (traditionally
called Rest Homes)
 Licensed by the
Massachusetts Department of Public
Health as long-term care facilities, Residential Care provides
housing, support services, and medical oversight in a residential setting.
These homes are capable of administering medications, scheduling medical
appointments, serving three meals daily, 24-hour staff to respond to
residents who are more capable of living on their own, but do need
assistance in certain areas.
Mount Pleasant Home
is licensed by the MA
Department of Public Health as a Residential Care Facility, or Rest
Home. We
emphasize a nurturing, safe, and supportive environment where elders can
live as independently as possible.
Nursing Homes and
Rehabilitation Centers
Licensed by
Massachusetts
Department of Public Health, these long-term care facilities provide a
wide range of personal care, skilled nursing, and rehabilitation services
in a medically supervised environment.
Nursing and
Rehabilitation facilities also provide services for short term recovery
from illness, injury, or medical procedures as well as nursing care for
people who cannot be cared for in other settings.
Although these
facilities tend to be less expensive than hospitals and 24-hour skilled
at-home nursing care, they can still be costly because of the amount and
degree of services included. Nursing Homes and Rehab Centers can be
paid for with private funds, public subsidies, Medicare, or private
insurance programs.
Finding the right place for you or
your loved one is a difficult process. Remember to ask many
questions, visit the facility, meet the staff, and do your research ahead
of time. For further information, do not hesitate to
contact us.
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