Care Options

Assisted Living Facility (ALF)

What it is: Residential housing for adults who need help with daily tasks but want to keep some independence.
Services: Meals, housekeeping, medication reminders, and help with bathing or dressing.
Medical care: Low; does not provide constant medical care.

Nursing Home

What it is: A long-term residential facility for people who need 24-hour supervision and heavy personal care.
Services: Room, board, round-the-clock monitoring, and daily living assistance.
Medical care: Continuous supervision and help from licensed nurses, though less focused on short-term rehab than skilled nursing.

Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF)

What it is: A specialized facility providing high-level medical treatment, often used for short-term recovery after a hospital stay.
Services: Intensive physical, occupational, and speech therapy, plus advanced wound care or injections.
Medical care: High; delivered or managed by registered nurses and therapists with a goal of returning home or to a lower level of care.

Home Health Care

What it is: Clinical and medical services brought directly to a patient's private residence.
Services: Part-time nursing, physical therapy, or monitoring of chronic health issues.
Medical care: Ordered by a doctor for homebound patients needing short-term clinical recovery support.

Adult Day Programs

What it is: Daytime community programs where older adults gather during daytime work hours.
Services: Social activities, meals, supervised safety, and recreational programs.
Medical care: Minimal; designed to give family caregivers a break (respite) during the day while keeping participants engaged.

Respite Care

What it is: Short-term temporary relief care designed for primary family caregivers.
Services: Can be provided for a few hours at home, at an adult day center, or via a short-term stay (a few days or weeks) in an assisted living or nursing facility.
Medical care: Varies depending on whether it takes place in a home setting or a clinical facility.