Services to Maintain Independent Living

The Continuum

of Care

How to Read the Road Signs

What services are needed to maintain independent living?

Understanding the terminology and acronyms

Assessment: The First Step

Information about the person’s general condition and special needs

Guides the care plan development

Assessment (continued)

Physical and cognitive abilities

Social and emotional needs

Financial and environmental needs

Identification of available informal and formal support and resources

Assessment…Who To Involve

Client

Family and friends

Personal physician

Long-term care professionals currently assisting client

The Plan of Care

Client-centered, based on assessed need

Specifies who will do what and for how long

Home and Community-Based Services

Services provided in the home or community that help frail and older people to remain independent for as long as possible

Can be provided as caregiver respite

Home Care Services

Often referred to as “in-home services”

Support independent living

A range of services to meet diverse needs

Skilled Home Care

Skilled nursing

Nutrition services

Specific therapies

Home Support Services

Homemaker Service

Personal Care

Home Delivered Meals

Community- Based Services

Services provided outside of the home

Support for independent living and family caregiving

Promote socialization

Typical Community-Based Programs

Adult day care

Congregate nutrition

Transportation

Senior centers

Where to Find Home and Community-Based Services

Area Agencies on Aging

Other human service agencies

Eldercare Locator

Yellow pages

How to Pay for Home and Community-Based Services

Medicare Medicaid Private health insurance Private pay Scholarships Area agencies on aging and local

departments of social services

Part Two

Supportive

Living Options

Senior Apartments, ECHO Housing, and Retirement Communities

Home maintenance

Social programs

Home safety devices

Transportation

Adult Care Residences

Licensed by DSS

Private or public pay (Auxiliary Grant)

Residential living

or assisted living

Residential Living

Serves adults with minor physical or cognitive limitations

Provides limited assistance with activities of daily living

Assisted Living

Serves adults with a higher level of need than residential living

Provides moderate assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs)

Nursing Facility

Nursing home, health care center, convalescent home

Provision of ongoing health related services

Licensed by Virginia Department of Health

Nursing Facility (continued)

Nursing care, rehabilitative therapies, meals, activities, housekeeping, laundry, and social services

Most direct care provided by Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)

Payment-private, commercial insurance, Medicare, and Medicaid

Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC)

Full service community offering retirement, assisted living, and nursing facility care on one campus

Promise of lifetime care in return for an entry fee/long-term agreement

Typically enter while independent with access to all levels of care as needed

Elizabeth A. Morley, MSWProgram Coordinator

Virginia Department for the Aging1600 Forest Avenue, Suite 102

Richmond, Virginia 23229(804) 662-9333