Military Officer - August 2006 - (Page 59)

wheelchair, eat unassisted, and take medications, as well as any special medical needs, will determine the level of care that is best. Each level of care has different criteria for services, and a basic understanding of these criteria is the ﬁrst step in making an informed decision. (See “Glossary of Services,” at right.) Once you have decided what level of care your loved one needs, you also must consider the most suitable environment. Do you want to reside in a community or complex that can meet both of your needs, or will you remain in your residence with your loved one in a facility close by? It’s important that you take into consideration your ﬁnancial resources and long-range needs. Medicare does not pay for any level of care other than nursing home care, and even that is covered for a limited number of days and for a speciﬁc medical diagnosis. Medicaid, however, will pay for long-term nursing home care and rest home care in some states. If you think you are eligible for Medicaid, you should start the application process as soon as you start looking for a facility, because it can take up to 90 days to ﬁnalize. The VA often can help with ﬁnancing and ﬁnding care. According to the January 2005 VA Long Term Care Fact Sheet, the VA provides noninstitutional care such as adult day care, home health, respite care, hospice, and community residential care, and nursing home care at VA centers, state homes, and contract facilities in the community. Geriatric Evaluation and Management (GEM) is another option that provides assessment and treatment from an interdisciplinary team of VA health professionals for older veterans with multiple medical, functional, or psychosocial problems. GEM services can be found at inpatient units, in outpatient clinics, and in geriatric primary care clinics. More information can be obtained by contacting your local VA center; if your loved one already is receiving medical care through the VA, you can contact the social worker/case manager assigned to his or her primary care team. Do your homework Finding appropriate long term care can be a daunting task. The following tips can help. ■ Your family, a close friend, or a professional, [CONTINUES ON PAGE 72] Glossary of Services Adult day care Structured activities and supervision during the day for individuals with dementia. Assisted living A room or apartment in a community or freestanding complex that provides assistance with personal care, meals, housekeeping, and medication administration. Community residential care Assisted living, dementia care, or supportive care that is part of a larger facility or community. Usually requires a monthly fee or yearly lease. Continuing care community A planned community with apartments or homes and available assisted living and skilled nursing home care. Usually requires purchase of the house or apartment or a buy-in fee to cover all the services. Dementia care A secured (locked) unit within a facility or community that provides supervised care for individuals with dementia who are still ambulatory. Home health care A caregiver, usually a nursing assistant or homemaker, in your home. Independent living An apartment in a senior community or freestanding complex that provides meals, transportation, housekeeping, and access to medical care. Residents must rent monthly with a lease. Nursing home A skilled facility that provides nursing care for those with medical needs who cannot provide their own personal care. Offers two levels of service: skilled, for those residents requiring rehabilitation or a short-term stay for medical care, and intermediate for those who require long term care. Respite care In-home assistance or a bed in a nursing facility for a prearranged time to allow respite for a caregiver. Rest home/family care home A smaller facility that provides supervised care by a licensed staff that includes personal care and medication administration. Residents must be able to assist with some of their own care and not have any medical needs that can be addressed only by a licensed nurse. Supportive care A facility-based level of care that allows residents to live in their own apartments or rooms but have the support of nursing assistants for personal care and nurses for assessment of health issues. MO AUGUST 2006 MILITARY OFFICER 59

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Military Officer - August 2006

Military Officer - August 2006 Contents From the Editor President’s Page Your Views MOAA Directory Rapid Fire Washington Scene Chapter Activities Financial Forum Ask the Doctor Changing of the Guard Four-Star Rating Long Term Care Kryptogram Pages of History Information Exchange MOAA Scholarship Donors Member Books Advertising Index MOAA Calendar Sounding Taps MOAA Member Services Encore

Military Officer - August 2006

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