Levels Of Care And Assisted Living Facilities: What Do These Levels Mean?
If you have begun the process of searching for an assisted living facility for your loved one, one phrase that you have probably seen quite commonly is level of care. As someone new to the world of assisted living, what this term means and what the different levels of ratings signal probably brings about a number of different questions. Learn more to ensure you are prepared to find the right care for your loved one.
Level of Care
The term level of care is basically a reference to the type of care that the assisted living facility can offer its residents. While all of these care facilities are committed to providing assistance, a facility can only provide a certain type of care based on the accommodations they provide as well as the staff they have on hand.
Common Care Levels
Although each state can establish its levels of care, low-level, mid-level, and high-level care are the most common thresholds.
Low-Level Care
Low-level facilities more closely mimic the independence that is afforded at an independent living facility. With low-level care, your loved one will still have the protection of skilled staff on-site but will manage most of their day-to-day needs independently, such as dressing and eating. However, staff members will assist with other tasks, such as the administration of medication.
Mid-Level Care
With mid-level care, the assistance provided is more varied. The ideal candidate for this type of facility is someone who is able to perform most tasks independently but may still need help in other areas of their care. For example, for someone with a mobility concern, eating may not require assistance, but performing daily hygiene routines and dressing may require aid. A mid-level facility would be ideal in this scenario.
High-Level Care
The highest level of care offered by an assisted living facility is high-level care. Individuals who reside in these facilities typically have significant mobility or memory concerns, or other medical concerns that limit their ability to function independently. At this type of facility, your loved one will receive constant monitoring and have a team of skilled medical professionals on hand, both day and night.
As always, do not hesitate to ask any questions. If you have specific questions about the level of care your loved one needs, do not be afraid to ask a member of the facility's care team for further direction. Contact an assisted living center for more information.