Idaho Senior Care Options
Idaho's seniors and their families are very fortunate to have the variety of senior care choices or senior housing options available. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare's Bureau of Facility Standards licenses and certifies Assisted Living facilities, both large and small (Adult Family Homes) and tries hard to assure you that quality standards are met. Public complaints are investigated quickly and surveys of the facilities are done on a regular basis. The following Senior Care Choices are available in Idaho and all of the licensed facilities are found here in this guide:

Assisted Living & Residential Care - sizes range from small Adult Family Homes to larger Assisted Living Facilities in this category. If the number of residents or the size of the facility is of concern, be sure to check out the capacity of the facility,

Alzheimer's/Memory Facilities/Units Today's Alzheimer's/Dementia/Memory care facilities or units are built to support the limitations of an individual afflicted with memory loss. Even though you might see a large building the interior will be designed to accommodate a dignified lifestyle within a secure and supportive environment.

Convalescent Care Centers (Skilled Care/Intermediate Care - Nursing Homes)

Today's nursing homes are also known as Care Centers which offer the highest level of continuous long-term care. Often times individuals are released from a Hospital setting into a Skilled Nursing Facility, also known as Rehabilitation/Transitional Care Units, where skilled care is provided with emphasis on rehabilitation.

Before getting into your vehicle to check out facilities, it might be wise to first look at the total picture.

Scenario I: Mom and/or Dad have been living in their own home for as long as you can remember. Lately you have noticed that they could use some help. You hold down a job and try to help out on week-ends, but that doesn't seem to be enough. Maybe In-Home-Care a couple times a week - might just be the ticket. Or would they be interested to move into a Retirement Community - and what about Assisted Living and Adult Foster Care?

The Senior's involvement in their own future is of utmost importance. As long as the senior is able to make sound decisions a family meeting should be arranged where considerations can be given to all options. Financial issues need to be discussed. Is there a long-term care policy in place the family is not aware of? If care is needed in the future - how will it be funded? When funding runs out - what's the next step? When does Medicaid come into the picture? What requirements need to be met? What about Medicare? Do Mom and Dad know what a Retirement Community has to offer? When is Assisted Living/ Residential Care or care in an Adult Foster Care Home appropriate? A family discussion with all siblings present (if possible) will be of great help to all involved.

Scenario II: A family member has been able to help Mom and/or Dad all along. Mom has taken a fall and ends up in the Hospital. Or dad had a stroke that left him disabled and memory impaired. Going back home is no longer a viable option. What's the next step?

If there are several siblings in the family, contact all of them. Some will show a lot of interest, some might not. You might be the one having to deal with your parent's future. Again - if possible - get into a discussion with your parent to see if they are able to give you any input what their expectations and/or wishes are. Are they reasonable? If in a Hospital setting, can the discharge planner be of help to you and the parent? They will fully understand what's involved in her/his immediate future care. Often they will recommend a local Placement Agency, who will be able to help the senior and their family find the appropriate care facility, that they themselves have visited and have dealt with in the past.

There are as many scenarios as there are families. Outside help is available from many sources - check with those sources first. The information you gather can make the difference between selecting a facility that will be conducive to the seniors total well-being or simply help the chosen facility fill a vacancy.

Consider other important factors, such as BEFORE CONSIDERING CARE OPTIONS FOR TODAY'S SENIORS and CONSIDERING FINANCES elsewhere on this site.