Question

Discuss the various components of long-term care services in the United States. Specifically, what are the differences between retirement centers, assisted living facilities, and skilled nursing facilities. What other options might be available to support the elder or the person needing extensive assistance in the community?

Answer 1

Long term care is defined as the comprehensive care given to geriatric persons for a long time.

Various components of long term care:

1. Medical care : Medical care refers to the medical management of the person.For example:A person is suffering from diabetes,it should be managed medically either by medicines or by other procedure.It mainly focuses on the management of underlying diseases or health problems.In geriatric persons,who require frequent medical examinations to assess health condition.
2. Non medical :It is given to the patients who require assistance or help during his or her activities of daily living such as bathing,dressing,walking and other personal needs.Long care can be rendered in home itself by a home nurse or in institutions.It includes empowering the patients to do ADLs by his/her own maximum with a monitoring.
3. Other :It includes services other than those.It mainly focuses on the emotional and psychological care of the persons such as stress management,psychological evaluation and empower them to cope up with the changing situations and changing roles in life.

RETIREMENT HOMES

It can be called as old age homes.It is an institution where elderly are lived together if they don't have families or families intentionally keep them there.Retirement centers is differ from nursing homes because it is not the center for medical care but as a home for living.It invites all the elderly despite their health conditions.

ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES

Assisted home facilities is a facility for those people who cannot do their activities of daily living without assistance.It includes disabled persons also.It can be available for all those who cannot live independently.

SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES

Its a facility usually attached to a hospital or function independently which render skilled nursing services such as counselling services,speech therapies,physiotherapy ,occupational therapy to the individuals.It mainly for specific purposes.

Other available services to the elderly

Elderly people are one of the important category of people who may be abused.So,for every governments or civic authorities should take enough measures to ensure their safety and comfort living.In addition to those services above mentioned,there are many services available to them.they are:

• elderly pensions: The old age persons cannot do job as that of youngsters.many of them have no way to find their means.Elderly pensions are a big help to them despite of their financial status.In addition to monetary help,assisted devices such as creches,wheel chairs hearing aids will be given to the needy.
• Many of the governments give assistance to the elderly for pilgrimage services.
• Rigid rules and punishment for those who are convicted for the crime of elderly abuse.
• Providing travel facilities with less expense throughout the country.