Page 2 - Senior Times South Central Michigan - September 2017 - 24-09

Page 2 Senior Times - September 2017
HOUSING OPTIONS EXPLAINED By: Sherii Sherban, Publisher
Long-term care needs can be met in your own home or provided in a residential setting. However, determining which services and living arrangements best meet your needs, and what options are available and affordable, can be complicated and confusing.
Consider investigating services and area facilities before they are needed. Join clubs
at area facilities and get to know staff. Ask
to visit for a meal. Consider trying out a pro- gram offered at area facilities. Determine to ask friends where they have visited and what they liked about area facilities. If you have ever wanted to volunteer, why not sign up
at an area facility? As you travel to various health fairs and senior fairs stop and chat
with the staff and ask them questions. You might even pick up some hand sanitizer, moisturizer, or even register to win something fun while you’re at it.
Before you make any decisions about what kind of long-term care you will use, fully investigate all your options.
There can be waiting lists for long-term care services. You may want to place
your name on the waiting lists for those services you will need. Sometimes the
need for long-term care arises suddenly or unexpectedly, and decisions must be made quickly. Even under these circumstances, you can be an active participant in planning for care. The better you prepare, the more an urgent situation can become a thoughtful decision instead.
In-Home Services
Help is available for you to stay in your own home. Help can come from family members, friends, churches, volunteers,
and public and private agencies. You may need different kinds of help each day, week, or month.
Home care agencies can help with
nursing care and/or an attendant in your home. They may also provide other services, like physical therapy, occupational therapy, and help bathing. One must consider, however, if these services will provide all the necessary care that is required to insure the safety and well being of an individual.
Paying for in-home services can be complicated and expensive. No private insurance or government agency pays
for around the clock in-home care. Most government programs and insurance pay for short daily or weekly visits or services.
MI Choice Waiver Programs: Today there may be the choice to stay in your home or a community setting, with additional assistance, if you or a loved one are able to meet income and asset criteria.
Through Waiver, nurse and social worker teams work with participants to develop
a person-centered, individualized plan that includes a mix of services appropriate to their needs and preferences. Person-centered means that the needs of the client, their desires, preferences, and goals are given priority as staff work with the client and their caregivers to determine how, when, where, and by whom services are provided.
To find a MI Choice Waiver Program
in your area reach out to your Area Agency on Aging to get started.
Services Outside Your Home Adult Day Care Services: This program is for individuals who need
daytime supervision and social activities. Adult day care can provide respite care outside your home. It is helpful to family caregivers who work or who simply need a break from care giving. PACE programs offer adult day services as part of the enrollment in their program.
Adult Foster Care (AFC) homes are licensed and inspected by the state. AFC homes provide room and board, special diets, supervision, and some personal care to adults who are frail but in generally good health. Personal care includes help with bathing, dressing, and taking medications.
Some AFC homes specialize in care for older adults, individuals with a develop- mental disability, or the individuals with
a mental illness. There are usually fewer than 20 residents; many homes have fewer than six. Most AFC homes are private pay and do not accept Supplemental Security Income (SSI) as full payment. Residents pay for their care with Social Security, pensions, other income, and savings.
Assisted Living is designed for seniors who need gentle assistance with activities of daily living such as dressing, bathing, or medication reminders. Assisted living offers seniors a private apartment, dignified care, and peace of mind that medical assistance is available round the clock by pulling a cord or pushing a call button.
Each apartment is generally equipped with a kitchenette as well as a private bath with walk-in shower and safety bars. Social and recreational activities are offered daily. Meals are provided each day tailored to special dietary requirements.
Special group outings are generally offered in assisted living communities along with community rooms, hair salons, exercise rooms, libraries, gift shops, and other special amenities such as transportation to medical appointments. Some even offer in-house physical and occupational therapy.
Assisted Living is a marketing term
used to describe a kind of residential care program. These businesses generally are not licensed or inspected by the state, though
This week especially, we honor our residents for their trust in Ganton Senior Communities. Stop in for a tour and in no time, you’ll see first-hand how our staff and our residents are like family.
Come learn about our amazing residents and the work we do! To learn more, please contact Alyssa Jones at (269) 969-4000.