Post-acute care and senior living are two terms that can seem interchangeable. In reality, however, these two options for aging family members are very different. If you or a loved one are considering these options for recovery after an illness or injury, it’s essential to understand the critical differences between post-acute care facilities and senior living in Lake Worth, FL, so that you make an informed decision.
Recovery Time
Post-acute care is a time of recovery after an extended stay in the hospital. It may also be referred to as a “skilled nursing facility” or SNF, and it can be used for several different reasons, such as rehabilitation from surgery or illness recovery. The focus will be on physical therapy and medicine management rather than just stimulating activities like those offered in senior living communities.
While post-acute care is often provided by health care providers such as skilled nursing communities, some patients may go directly into this type of treatment upon discharge from hospitalization. This allows them to continue receiving medical attention while still being able to live at home with their families instead of moving into permanent housing elsewhere (like senior living).
Services Provided
Post-acute care centers offer a higher level of medical services than senior living communities. In many cases, residents are cared for by team members highly trained in managing chronic conditions, including heart failure and diabetes.
Additionally, post-acute care communities often have in-house pharmacies and other facilities to help reduce or eliminate hospital visits. For example, they may provide dialysis treatment, so you don’t need to see an outside provider. This is an excellent feature if you want to avoid frequent trips to the hospital but still receive quality care when necessary.
Senior living Also referred to as residential environments for older adults (REA), provides around-the-clock medical supervision by licensed team members who work shifts daily and night. Patients can also receive assistance with daily activities such as bathing or dressing if needed; however, residents generally have limited mobility mostly because they do not live alone—they reside alongside other aging family members who have similar needs.
Daily Schedule/Activities
The next thing to keep in mind is the daily schedule and activities. The goal of post-acute care is to get patients back on their feet, so they must have plenty of opportunities to do so. Many senior-friendly independent living communities offer group activities—such as bingo or card games—and individualized therapy sessions with a therapist. Some will even provide physical therapy on-site if you need it! Additionally, many family members in their golden years who live in senior living communities are able to go outside for exercise or even just for a walk around the neighborhood.
Level of Independence/Mobility Required of the Patient
Post-acute care is intended for those who are more dependent on other people, so it’s a good model for those who need help with daily activities.
Senior-friendly independent living communities are generally not recommended unless an individual is completely independent. This means they have no physical or mental limitations that would make them unable to live independently in their own household. If someone isn’t living at home anymore because they’ve lost their ability to drive or cook food safely, they should consider senior living options instead of post-acute care because they’ll likely need help with these tasks at some point during their stay in the community (unless they plan on hiring someone).
Conclusion
We hope you’ve found this blog post helpful in understanding the difference between senior living and post-acute care. It can be confusing at times to distinguish between the two, but with more information about your options, you can make the best decisions for yourself or your loved ones. Contact us today if you’re interested in learning more about how we can help seniors with their transitions! We are always happy to answer any questions or concerns about senior care services.
