Understanding Levels of Long-Term Care

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1 Facility and Community Options: Understanding Levels of Long-Term Care Part of an educational series about long-term care choices in Broome County. Information you can count on. Assistance you can trust.

2 This Series of Real Choices Consumer Education Booklets includes the following titles: Paying for Long-Term Care: Understanding Your Choices Facility & Community Options: Understanding Levels of Long-Term Care Help at Home: Choices in Home Health Care & Support Services What You Should Know About Staying at Home: Safety, Security, Modifications & Repairs When You re the One Providing Care: Understanding Caregiver Support Services Advance Health Care Planning: Making Your Wishes Known Adults with Disabilities: Understanding Support Services Healthy Choices for Living Well

3 Long-Term Care Options Are you finding it difficult to take care of your personal and health needs at home? Is someone you care about facing these challenges? If so, now is the time to learn about the many care options that are available and to consider whether moving to a different level of care might be appropriate. Finding the level of care that best meets your needs can help you remain as safe, comfortable, and independent as possible. In Broome County, you ll find many choices of services and facilities. This booklet provides an introduction to the types of facilities that are available locally as you consider moving from your home. Other booklets in this series address services that may be provided in your own home. Once you have read this booklet, your next step will probably be to schedule a free long-term care assessment with Broome County CASA. A CASA staff person can meet with you in your home to assess what level of care would best meet your needs and to explain your choices. The final decision to make a change will be up to you.

4 Long-Term Care Assessment CASA (Community Alternative Systems Agency), Broome County Broome County Office Building, 4th Floor PO Box 1766 Binghamton, NY Phone: Fax: Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F CASA is the first place to call if you have a health condition that limits your ability to care for yourself. CASA staff will come to your home and provide you with a free, individual assessment of your situation and a list of recommended services to meet your needs. This list will include both services that can be provided in your own home as well as options for facility care. CASA staff can screen you to see whether or not you re eligible for Medicaid waiver programs. They can also assist you if you re planning to return home after being in a hospital or nursing home. CASA services are not dependent on age or financial status.

5 Independent Living People who are independent but no longer desire to maintain their own home have several choices. You may arrange for home health care services in your own home. (See booklet in this series entitled, Help at Home.) Or, consider the following: Senior Housing Apartments for seniors and adults with disabilities; often include safety features and handicap accessibility. Financial help to pay rent may be available for people of low income. Waiting lists vary from months to years. Some offer: Enriched Housing - a comprehensive package of services for people of limited independence; and/or Home Health Care Agency Services - a wide range of services, from home care aides to skilled nursing and/or other doctor-ordered services. Apartments affiliated with long-term care facilities Some facilities have independent apartments on their campuses for well elderly people. Often, these residents are able to move to higher levels of care on the same campus if needed. Some apartments offer Home Health Care and/or other service options. Most are paid for privately.

6 Adult Care Facilities This level of care is intended for people who need 24-hour supervision. Assistance with minimal personal care is provided, such as bathing and grooming, as well as supervision of medications, meals, house-keeping and social activities. Adult Homes - provide the same level of care in a smaller, more homelike environment; sometimes in the owner s own home. Adult Care Facilities are paid for privately or sometimes by Social Security Income (SSI). Assisted Living Programs These programs combine services of an adult care facility with a licensed home health care agency to provide added health care supports (i.e. aide service, some nursing services, medication management, doctor-ordered therapies). Services are based on an individual s health care needs; however, residents must be medically stable, not chair or bedfast, and able to care for their own toileting needs. Most Assisted Living Programs are paid for privately or by Medicaid.

7 Skilled Nursing Facilities These facilities provide 24-hour medical care. A variety of professional and licensed staff assure that each person s needs are met. Care is planned using input from the resident, family, physician, and facility staff. Care may be provided long-term or short-term depending on the resident s needs. Some have amenities such as exercise rooms, gardens, and/or pets. Some offer: Dementia-Related Units - Some facilities have special floors or units specifically for residents requiring dementia-related care, including those residents with Alzheimer s Disease. Rehabilitation - Short-term rehab services may be obtained at many skilled nursing facilities. The goal of these services is to help a person regain his level of functioning prior to an illness, injury or surgery. Each person s type of care and length of stay are tailored to the person s individual needs. Skilled Nursing Facilities are paid for privately or by Medicaid. Medicare and Medigap insurance may cover limited, short-term rehabilitation services only.

8 Respite Care Rehabilitation Skilled Nursing Facility Assisted Living Program Adult Care Facility Home Health Care and /or Additional Services Independent Living Levels of Care Long-Term Care Facilities* Broome County Facilities Bridgewater Center for Rehabilitation & Nursing Front St Binghamton, NY Castle Gardens Senior Living & Special Needs Community 1715 Castle Gardens Rd Vestal, NY Good Shepherd Fairview Home & Apartments 80 Fairview Ave Binghamton, NY Ideal Senior Living Center 508 High Ave Endicott, NY Renaissance Plaza 50 Front St Binghamton, NY 13905

9 Susquehanna Nursing Center 282 Riverside Dr Johnson City, NY United Methodist Homes Elizabeth Church Campus - Saint Louise Manor 863 Front St Binghamton, NY United Methodist Homes Hilltop Campus 286 Deyo Hill Rd Johnson City, NY Vestal Nursing Center 860 Old Vestal Rd Vestal, NY The Waters of Endicott 301 Nantucket Drive Endicott, NY Willow Point Nursing Home 3700 Old Vestal Rd Vestal, NY Woodland Manor Five Clubhouse Rd Vestal, NY * Includes levels of care at long-term care facilities only. For a listing of other senior housing in the community, refer to the Senior Apartment Housing Guide available through the Broome County Office for Aging.

10 Checklist for Visiting a Facility Before you go: Think about what is important to you or your loved one. Make a list of those things to look for and questions to ask. Visit Nursing Home Compare on the web site. Use this information to help make your list of questions, rather than to make your final decisions about a facility s appropriateness. Schedule a formal tour with staff. While you re there: Observe the facility s surroundings, services, activities, and interactions. Does the facility have a fresh look and smell? Is staff treating residents with patience, respect, and friendliness? Are residents participating in a variety of activities? Are residents encouraged to personalize their rooms? Ask about available services and fees. Request to see an inspection report. Don t be afraid to ask questions! If you can, visit a facility more than once and at different times.

11 STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? Disabled and older adults have more care options than ever before. While having many choices is important, the long-term care system may seem complicated or overwhelming at times. That s why CARE volunteers are here to offer free guidance and support to help you meet your needs. CARE Volunteers can help! Community Advocacy Referral Empowerment Call today to have a CARE Volunteer help make the long-term care system work for you

12 This Real Choices Consumer Education Booklet was made possible by generous support from: Broome County CASA and the NYS Department of Health Real Choice Systems Change Grant & Action for Older Persons, Inc. Real Choices Facility and Community Options: Understanding Levels of Long-Term Care copyright 2004, Action for Older Persons. All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form without the express written permission of Action for Older Persons, Inc. All information herein is accurate as of July However changes in agencies and services occur frequently. For the most current information, the reader is encouraged to directly contact agencies, the Broome County Office for Aging at (607) or the Broome County Online Elder Services Guide at: This document was developed under grant CFDA format from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. However, these contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal government. 10