Acute Care Rehabilitation Facility: <\/u><\/strong>\u00a0Acute care rehab is also an overnight, extended inpatient stay. This option is designed for patients who will strongly benefit from a multi-disciplinary approach (i.e. post-stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, etc.). Patients have to meet certain qualifications including the ability to tolerate up to 3 hours of therapy per day, 6 days per week (i.e. occupational, physical, and speech). There are also doctors, psychiatrists, nurses, respiratory therapists, and a wide array of other disciplines on staff. Often times, patient\u2019s transition to acute care rehab after an acute care hospital stay or even after going to skilled nursing.<\/p>\n Transitional Care Unit: <\/u><\/strong>\u00a0TCUs are very similar to skilled nursing facilities, except that the expected length of stay is much shorter. Patients can expect to stay anywhere between 5 to 21 days. TCUs are helpful options for patients who are still not quite well enough to return home from the hospital.<\/p>\n Residential Care Facility:<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0Also called assistive living, residential care homes are facilities are long-term living options for older adults. The resident is provided with lodging, daily meals, and nursing\/rehabilitative staff as needed. In order for prospective residents to qualify, they need to be somewhat independent in all daily living tasks. Many assistive living homes have aides available for showers if needed.<\/p>\n Retirement Community:<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0Continuing care retirement communities are long-term living situations for older adults that come with a wide variety of healthcare services. Residents can rent or purchase real estate within a community setting that is serviced with medical and rehabilitation options. Not all residents are required to participate in medical or rehab services, but the options are there and can be appropriately billed to each resident. The retirement community is ideal for an older adult who is still quite independent but could benefit from immediate healthcare assistance. However, retirement communities are very expensive and should be thoroughly researched.<\/p>\n Nursing Home:<\/u><\/strong>\u00a0Nursing homes are long-term living facilities that often operate much like a hospital setting. Residents live in nursing homes because they do not need to be in a hospital, but they are unable to function independently and safely in a private home. Nursing homes are different from residential care because the facility is staffed 24\/7 with nurses and doctors (quite similarly to a skilled nursing facility). Patients often have access to rehabilitation services if needed. A nursing home is often a last resort for older adults if private homes and assistive living are no longer safe options due to health and functional capacity (i.e. severe dementia, chronic degenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis, etc.).<\/p>\n While researching alternative living options for older adults, keep in mind what the goals are and what specific needs should be met. Some facilities may only be relevant if the older adult is discharging from the hospital such as skilled nursing or transitional care. For other situations in which the older adult can still get around independently but needs some assistance, assistive living and retirement communities may be more suitable. Assess each type of facility thoroughly before settling on the one that is right for you.<\/p>\n
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