While researching assisted living facilities for yourself or your loved ones, you might have heard the term “level of care.”
Right? But do you know what it exactly means? If not, relax. This guide is your manual for everything you need to know about the level of care in assisted living facilities.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s get into this blog and get helpful insight into this knowledgeable topic.
Level of Care Defined
Initially, it’s essential to know that the level of care in assisted living doesn’t necessarily mean the quality of care.
In general, the levels of assisted living mean how much help a person needs with ADLs (activities of daily living) along with health management. How will you determine that?
As said above, levels of care for elderly can be determined by their ability to perform ADLs and medical needs. As an individual’s functional abilities and health conditions change, so do their care requirements.
Different Levels of Assisted Living Facilities
Each levels of assisted living facility has various factors that play a major role in creating it. Let’s dive into the different levels.
Level 1 Care (Low-Level Care)
Level 1 of care in assisted living is required by individuals who need less care with their daily tasks. Not only in regular activities but also with medications, less care is required. It occasionally includes assistance with grooming, dressing, bathing, and housekeeping services.
Level 2 Care (Moderate-Level Care)
In this levels of care for elderly individuals requires more frequent assistance with daily activities. This combines daily help with personal care like grooming, bathing, and dressing. In addition, patients need help with mobility and medication management at that level, too.
Level 3 Care (High-Level Care)
Level 3 category patients are elderly people who need extensive assistance with their daily activities and medications. They may have:
- mobility issues
- complex medication routine
- constant care and supervision
- cognitive impairments
- chronic medical conditions
Level 4 Care (Specialized Care)
Level 4 is advanced care for elderly individuals who need specialized care and medical attention. Generally, level 4 care is required by individuals who are experiencing memory-related problems like dementia or Alzheimer’s disease or those with serious medical conditions.
Cost Considerations for Every Level of Care
If your loved one needs higher levels of care in assisted living, then it will lead to higher costs.
Let’s understand this with an example. The old-aged individual who requires assistance with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, grooming, and taking medication will tend to pay extra competitively for someone without a caregiver.
However, you need to think about the fact that every facility is different. So, the cost may vary depending on the level of care or the facility.
How To Determine the Level of Care For You & Your Loved Ones
Choosing the right level of care for yourself and your loved ones is equally important in selecting a fantastic facility. However, you’ll have to prepare yourself for this. Read on several steps for determining the level of care you and your loved ones need.
Identify Needs
The first step is to determine the needs of the patient and take a look at what they are currently needing. Several factors you can consider in identifying levels of assisted living:
- Do they’ve specific medical needs that need constant attention?
- Do they require help with activities like dressing and bathing?
- Any struggles with medications?
Research
Having a good idea of your loved ones’ specific needs will help you understand the type of assisted living facilities in your area. Then, you can start researching the available options. Some facilities charge higher levels of care for elderly at a higher price. At the same time, others will focus more on assisting those with fewer needs.
Pick an Ideal Level
You have to be sure about the level your loved one truly needs. If you’re still unsure, try to take the help of your family member, or it’s good to consult with a physician to reach a decision.
Schedule a Meeting
If you are sure of the type of levels of assisted living you need. Then, it’s time to schedule a face-to-face meeting with the selected assisted living facility providers in your area. You can ask them about their pricing options and services offered, and ask questions regarding their procedure.
Keep Reevaluating
As the years pass, the level of care for your loved ones may change. It could be possible that they require more attention than originally thought. So, you’ve to make sure that the assisted living facility staff keeps evaluating their requirements timely.
Conclusion
Overall, assisted living is a viable option for you or your loved one who needs help with daily living activities. However, it’s not as easy as it seems. Not that daunting; just requires consideration while picking the right levels of assisted living.
So, make sure you go through the whole guide and make a knowledgeable decision in determining the ideal level of care in assisted living facilities.