A Crash Course in Types of Elderly Care
What kinds of senior care are out there? How do I choose one for my kupuna?
Understanding elderly care options can be difficult and time consuming. There are many that you’ve probably at least heard of, such as “care homes,” “nursing homes,” “retirement homes,” and “foster homes.”
Although these terms seem interchangeable, they each refer to specific types of care facilities.
Not knowing the differences between care options may lead to wasting valuable time, energy, and money, or — worse yet — settling on something inappropriate for your kupuna.
Avoid costly mistakes and narrow your search to the right category of care before you begin calling facilities.
The Nine Types of Elderly Care in Hawaii (in 50 words or less):
Recreation, socialization, meals, and family respite, then kūpuna return home overnight
For people who:
Need minimal assistance & monitoring
Benefit from social activities & stimulation
Potential downsides:
Limited care provided
Overwhelming for people with certain conditions/personalities
Individualized attention & ultimate customization for care in one’s own home
For people who:
Want the flexibility of their own home
Want to direct the caregiver
Potential downsides:
Can be very expensive, especially for 24/7 care
Lack of stimulation can lead to declining health
(aka “Retirement Communities” or “Senior Living”) Group living with common areas and amenities
For people who:
Can mostly function independently
Enjoy socializing and group interaction
Potential downsides:
Hands-on care not provided (medical emergencies only)
Residents can feel lost or excluded by others
Group living with common areas, amenities, and assistance with some care needs
For people who:
Can function with minimal care assistance
Enjoy socializing and group interaction
Potential downsides:
Not set up to provide 24/7 care, residents tend to eventually move out
Residents can feel lost or excluded by others
(aka “Care Homes”): two types of residences that provide supervision & care
For people who:
Need supervision and some care but can still perform most daily tasks
Like a smaller communal setting
Potential downsides:
Residents with extensive care needs cannot stay long-term
Vary in quality (or perceived quality)
(aka “Expanded Care Homes”): 24/7 hands-on supervision & care for fragile adults
For people who:
Need assistance day & night, and possibly also nursing services
Are not appropriate for Assisted Living nor Intermediate Nursing Facilities
Potential downsides:
Vary in quality (or perceived quality)
LTC insurance doesn’t always reimburse at higher nursing services rates
(aka “Foster Homes” or “Foster Care Homes”): nursing and/or Medicaid-sponsored care in a caregiver’s personal residence
For people who:
Want an intimate home setting
Need (or eventually need) nursing and/or Medicaid services
Potential downsides:
Conditions generally basic
Setting can feel overly-informal
(aka “Long Term Care”): long-term nursing care in a clinical setting
For people who:
Have chronic but manageable medical conditions/needs
Need direct nursing services intermittently throughout the day and night
Potential downsides:
Clinical/institutional setting uncomfortable for indefinite stay
Generally few staff per patient
(aka “Rehab” or “Nursing Homes”): Medicare-covered & short-term nursing rehabilitation for injury and/or illness
For people who:
Are temporarily recovering from illness or trauma
Require direct nursing 24/7
Potential downsides:
Under pressure to discharge patients quickly
Generally few staff per patient
Before You Go…
Still unsure which care option fits the needs of your kupuna? We have a short, anonymous quiz which can help you to narrow your elderly care search based on care needs, budget, and personal preferences. Click here to check it out.
Figuring out the type of care that best suits your needs is a major first step, but a first step only. Here are a few pointers to keep in mind as you consider your options:
Even if two facilities offer the same type of care, they can be very different from one another. Make sure to do your homework on what each facility offers, as well as their restrictions.
If you are remotely interested in a facility, call them and visit them in person. Much like choosing a college, there is no better way to find out whether a place is a good fit for you. What’s more, you will let them know that you are interested in them, which is valuable when vacancies open.
Focus on specific situation, rather than what other family members or friends may have done in the past when selecting senior care. The perfect care option for one person may not be a good fit for another.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Senior care is a big decision, and gathering information will help you make a choice that you can be confident about!
Kupuna Care Pair is a search platform where you can find senior care facilities that match your preferences. We invite you to try it out for free.