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Support Program > Hard Decisions
Making Hard Decisions
...when your family member needs more care than can be provided at home
Ask yourself:
 Does your
relative have health care needs that cannot be met at home?
Are
you physically unable to do the work that is required, such
as lifting?
Are
you worried about the safety of your family member?
Is your
own health or safety at risk because of caregiving?
If the answer to one or more of these questions is “yes”,
it may mean your loved one needs to be in a residential care facility.
It’s wise to look into care options in advance, because her
or his condition may change suddenly. Knowing what’s available,
and even being on a waiting list can help smooth the process immeasurably.
Where do you start?
Ask friends
or neighbors if they know of good facilities. Recommendations can
be very helpful.
Get
a list of facilities from the Family Caregiver Resource Center
(see phone numbers below) and visit some of the care facilities.
If you
like one or two, add your name to the waiting list. There probably
will not be a fee for this, and it doesn’t obligate you.
Types of residential care facilities:
Adult Family
Homes are homes that are licensed to care for up to six residents.
They provide room, board, laundry service, assistance with activities
of daily living and personal care.
Assisted
Living is a licensed boarding home that provides private apartments,
meal service, organized recreational activities and personal care
such as help with medications, bathing and dressing.
Adult Residential
Care facilities are licensed boarding homes that provide room and
board, personal care and help with medications.
Nursing
Homes provide 24-hour nursing care, therapy, activities, room, board
and laundry service.
Continuing
Care Retirement Communities are apartment-style facilities that
also offer assisted living and nursing home care.
Retirement
Apartments are private apartment complexes that may offer some services,
including meals, housekeeping and transportation.
Deciding which setting is best for your family
member:
Consider
location, and how easy it will be for friends and relatives to
visit.
When
you visit, take a list of the needs of your loved one, such
as assistance with dressing, bathing and/or medications.
Talk
to residents and staff members; ask how they feel about the
home.
Notice
how well-maintained the building is. Will your relative be
comfortable there?
When
you find one or two good facilities, take your family member
for a visit. Some residential facilities invite potential
residents to lunch or dinner.
How to pay for the care:
Private
payment is how most residential care is provided.
Medicare
may pay for a limited number of days in a skilled nursing facility,
but not for long-term care.
Medicaid
pays for some long-term care if the resident meets specific eligibility
requirements. It’s wise to find out about the requirements
before the resident’s finances are depleted, because it can
take a few months to go through the approval process.
Veterans
Benefits may cover residential care if the person is a war veteran
or surviving spouse.
Long-Term
Care Insurance may cover the facility, depending upon the specific
insurance policy.
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to Family Caregiver Support Program page
For more information,
call the Family Caregiver Resource Center:
360-694-8144 - Clark County
360-577-4929 - Cowlitz & Wahkiakum
Counties
509-427-9466 - Skamania County Senior
Services
509-493-3068 - White Salmon, Klickitat
County Senior Services
509-773-3757 - Goldendale, Klickitat
County Senior Services
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