Nursing facilities, also known as long term care or nursing homes, provide care 24 hours a day for seniors who can no longer live independently. Physicians are on call, licensed nurses are on duty 24 hours a day under the supervision of a registered nurse, and nurse aids assist residents with personal daily care and medications also under the supervision of licensed nurses. Nursing facilities are state-licensed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services. Meal plans, housekeeping, medical services and planned recreational activities are provided for residents.

The term “Skilled Nursing Facility” is used by Medicare to describe nursing homes that are certified to provide a fairly intensive level of care to Medicare patients.

Residential Care, also known as personal care, is a good option for seniors who choose not to live on their own but do not necessarily need 24-hour care. A licensed nurse is not required to be present at these facilities. Although there is less staff present than at a nursing home, caregivers are present and are typically Certified Nursing Assistants.

Residents can typically perform daily hygiene tasks, but do not prepare their own meals or take medications on their own. Both on and off premise activities are arranged for residents. Residential care facilities are governed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

Independent living, also known as senior apartments or retirement communities, is the perfect place for seniors who are able to live on their own and care for themselves but choose not to live at home. Seniors have complete independence with emergency care available nearby.

Most facilities are equipped with individual kitchens in rooms so residents can prepare their own meals, or meal plans are available along with the opportunity to participate in social and recreational activities with other residents.

WHEN TO CONSIDER HOSPICE

When treatment shifts from curing the illness to providing comfort, it is time to consider hospice. Hospice serves patients whose terminal illnesses result in a life expectancy of six months or less, as determined by the patient’s physician.

By contacting hospice early in the diagnosis, the patient and family reserve time to understand their options and choose the path that will have the most positive impact on quality of life. The best time to learn about hospice is before you need it.

SEEING THE WHOLE PICTURE

It is so important to find someone who understands that the whole picture of hospice care is not just what kind of insurance you have and checking in on a family only as much as Medicare guidelines specify; it is about caring for the patient and their family.

KNOW WHAT TO ASK

A good hospice takes care of problems and situations face to face, not over the phone.  If a family member is taking the time to call a hospice, that means they need help.  Maybe they have a lot of questions, or they just need to talk to someone, but they need help.  We are not a bank.  We don't close.  We handle admissions 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  If a family needs us on holidays and weekends, we are there.

DEMAND CONSISTENCY

Consequently, patients should not have to cope with an ever-changing cast of caregivers.  At Christian Healthcare you have the same team all the way through the process.  With the same team visiting a patient every day, they are familiar with that person and they know what that person is experiencing on a daily basis.

FIND SOMEONE WITH WHOM YOU ARE COMFORTABLE

We treat people with everything from cancer to Parkinson's, Dementia and Alzheimer's.  Regardless of the patient's diagnosis and financial means, a hospice provider's role is to make the patient completely comfortable, and give the family time to say goodbye.  Our job is to be very attentive, and provide for whatever need the patient and their family has.