| Carolina Senior is here to help you through this process, with the knowledge and understanding that we have from years of helping the elderly loved ones of many families in South Carolina get the quality of care they deserve. |
Identifying the particular needs of your elderly loved one before beginning the search process will help you explore the available alternatives and make an informed decision. The following Needs Assessment Survey will assist you in your search and prepare you to answer the many questions that will be posed by a facility's staff. Take a few minutes and and answer the following questions as best as possible, once completed, click the "submit" button and a representative will contact you shortly. If you don't know a question, leave it blank.This is a FREE service provided by CarolinaSenior.Com |
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1. Identify your needs. 2. Prioritize. Every home will be slightly different. Determine which items are most important to you. 3. Evaluate the financial position of the patient. Determine how you will pay for care and accumulate the income and asset financial information you will need when applying for admittance. **Seek advice from an South Carolina Estate Planning Attorney who is experienced with senior planning. We can help refer you to an experienced one in your area. 4. Consult with the individual's physician to determine what the medical needs are. 5. Select your preferred facilities and generate a list of facilities in your area of interest. 6. Many facilities also have websites with contact information. 7. Contact the facilities of interest to schedule tours and to speak with their caregivers. 8. Start early! Some homes may have waiting lists. Begin your search before you really need to, so that you aren't rushed when the time comes to make a decision.
Nursing homes provide skilled nursing care and rehabilitation services to people with illnesses, injuries or functional disabilities. Most facilities serve the elderly. Some facilities provide services to younger individuals with special needs such as the developmentally disabled, mentally ill, and those who need drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Nursing homes are usually stand alone facilities, but some are operated within a hospital or retirement community. Many homes today provide most of the nursing care that was previously provided in a hospital setting. Many nursing homes now focus their attention on rehabilitation, so that their clients can return to their own homes as soon as possible. Special Services can include: home health care, adult day care, respite care and others. Therapies can include: physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and respiratory therapy. Other Senior Care Options A nursing home may not be what you need right now. Fortunately, the range of senior care options continues to expand to better meet the care and financial needs of individuals. Some of the alternatives that may be available in your area include independent living congregate care assisted living home health care.
Independent Living Independent living is for people who can take care of themselves and includes residing in one's own home or apartment, a retirement community, or independent living apartments. Congregate Care Congregate care is similar to independent living, but has a community environment, with one or more meals per day prepared and served in a community dining room. Many other services and amenities may be provided such as transportation, pools, a convenience store, bank, barber/beauty shop, resident laundry, housekeeping, and security. Assisted Living Assisted living features apartment-style housing where services focus on providing assistance with daily living activities. These facilities are designed to bridge the gap between independent living and nursing home care, and provide a higher level of services for their residents including meals, housekeeping, medication assistance, laundry, and regular checks-ins. Intermediate Care Intermediate care is nursing home care for residents needing assistance with activities of daily living, but without significant nursing requirements. Skilled Nursing Skilled nursing facilities are traditional nursing facilities that provide 24-hour medical nursing care for people with serious illnesses or disabilities. Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRC) or Life Care Communities (LCC) These communities are planned and operated to provide continuum care from independent living through skilled nursing. The facilities allow individuals to live within the same community as their needs progress through the spectrum of care. Sub-acute Care is intensive nursing care for patients recovering from surgery or illness. Hospice Care is a combination of facility-based and home care provided to benefit terminally ill patients and support their families. Respite Care is provided on a temporary basis to allow a family member relief for a few hours or days. Adult Day Care programs provide meals and care services in a community setting during the day while a caregiver needs time off or must work. Home Health Care is provided in an individual's home by outside providers and aims to keep the individual functioning at the highest possible level. 
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