Family Resources

How can seniors and their families become informed about senior living options?

The challenges of growing older can be significant. Bethany Village has been providing quality senior living in the Dayton area for more than 65 years. Through the many years of serving the community, we have learned how to help families who are making decisions regarding aging parents. The information below might be helpful as you navigate your way through senior living options.

Helpful definitions regarding senior living options provided by The Seniors Guide Online:

Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)
Many senior communities offer more than one level of care. There are some, however, that offer a comprehensive continuum of care. Should the need arise for assistance with living, memory supportive care, rehabilitation or even skilled nursing on a temporary or long-term basis; those needs can be met within the same community. Choosing a community that offers a continuum of care can be a good idea also for couples whose needs may vary.

Residential Living
Residential communities are for seniors desiring a leisurely, hassle-free lifestyle. Choices include apartments, condos, or garden homes offering some extra services and features that many retired people would especially enjoy or find helpful. Beyond home maintenance, some services might include social programs, transportation services, organized outings, shopping trips and limited medial services. Features might include emergency pull cords within the home, first floor access or elevators that are handicap friendly. Community features may also include meals, housekeeping and laundry.

Assisted Living
Assisted living communities are for seniors who need help with daily living activities but do not require nursing home care. They provide help with meals, bathing, dressing, housekeeping, and other needs. Services are either included in the rent or provided at an extra charge.

Nursing Care
Nursing care facilities for seniors provide 24-hour care. Daily service fees include long-term room and board, personal care, supervision and therapy. Typically nursing care has three levels of care:

• Basic Care – Requires assistance maintaining a person’s activities of daily living.
• Skilled Care – Requires the services of a registered nurse for treatment and procedures.
• Sub-Acute Care – Requires comprehensive in-patient care for someone who has experienced an acute illness or injury.

Memory Care
Facilities which offer specialized programs for residents suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, dementia or other forms of memory loss. These programs can also be offered by assisted living and nursing home facilities.

Rehabilitation Care
Facilities that offer rehabilitative care services on a short-term or long-term basis.

At-Home Care Resources
At-home care is a cost-effective alternative to hospital care. You can receive healthcare or personal care services within your own home with the assistance of a home care company. Following a hospital or rehabilitation center stay, some patients may need additional skilled medical care at home as well as assistance with activities like bathing, dressing and cooking and Graceworks at Home can help. If you are having elective surgery or would like some help with everyday activities, spend some time thinking about what’s required and search for agencies that meet your needs. Health at Home, LLC is a Medicare-certified home healthcare agency, providing nursing care, rehabilitative therapy, medical social services and home health aide assistance. Hands at Home, LLC helps seniors with light housekeeping, bathing, medication reminders and more.
For a list of licensed agencies, contact your state departments of health, aging and social services. In addition, the National Association for Home Care & Hospice has an agency locator, so you can easily find an appropriate provider. Internet resources like  www.MySeniorCare.com  maintain a comprehensive directory of pre-screened senior care providers.
Services are available on a basis of daily visits, or hourly care, up to 24-hours a day. Increasingly, older people are choosing to live at home with home care services. Services can include medical and non-medical care such as assistance with shopping, laundry, meals and companionship.

Respite Care
Respite care communities offer temporary or short-term care solutions. This service is intended to give caregivers, or adult children a well-deserved break from their daily responsibilities of caring for an older adult. The length of a respite care stay can vary from two days up to more than a full month.

To learn more about residential options for seniors, please contact one of our senior lifestyle residential consultants at (937) 433-2110.