Long term care
facilities provide a safe and supportive living environment for people who need
additional support due to age or disability. The cost of living in a long term
care facility depends on the facility. The government subsidizes some facilities
and the rent is very low. There are other facilities that do not charge a fee at
all. There are also other private facilities where the cost of care can range
from hundreds to thousands of dollars each month. Each facility will have
different admission requirements and procedures. Many have waiting lists, so it
is best to plan whenever possible and contact the facilities directly for more
information.
Assisted
Supported Living Facilities
Assisted living and
supported living options describe the same types of services. Both of these
living options provide additional support for those people who need help around
the house, such as seniors. Assisted living facilities provide support ranging
from grocery shopping to medication reminders to assistance with bathing. Many
facilities also provide options for individuals that may need to move from
assisted living facilities to nursing facilities as their life situation
changes.
Adult
Residential Care Homes
Adult Residential Care
Homes (ARCH) provide a safe and supportive place to live for people who need
support with some or all of the typical activities of daily living. The State
licenses these homes and has requirements regulating the number of people that
can live together and the types of support services that must be provided for
them.
Skilled
Nursing Facilities & Intermediate Care Facilities
Intermediate Care
Facilities (ICF) usually provide more intensive in-home support than assisted
living facilities. Federal and state programs fund ICFs and provide an
affordable option for many people in need of long term care. These facilities
provide 24-hour care for their residents, but may vary greatly in the types of
services and to whom they are provided. For example, some ICFs serve the elderly
and others serve people with developmental disabilities. Within these divisions,
ICFs may offer different accessibility features or types of specialized
community training or supports. They are referred to as nursing homes, skilled
nursing facilities, care homes, or group homes.
The more intensive
supports are usually very expensive. Very few people can afford this type of
care on their own, so all ICFs receive federal and/or state funding. These
facilities often have long wait lists, so it is important to plan ahead. You may
also experience delays while waiting for approval. Finding an ICF in a location
that is convenient is important, although the types of services they provide and
availability will probably be more important factors in your final decision.
Since most ICFs do not allow for direct admission, it is best to contact the
Department of Health to determine if you are eligible for their services.
Foster
Homes
Foster homes can be a
wonderful resource for those who need a safe place to live. Generally, foster
homes are for children who, for many different reasons can no longer live with
their biological parents. Foster homes for adults are also available for
qualifying seniors. Most foster homes do not accept direct referrals. This means
you cannot call a foster home directly to see if there is room for you or for
someone you are helping. Typically, different state agencies control the wait
lists and placements for foster homes, and make the determination as to who is
eligible.