Acknowledgments viiiIntroduction: Making an Informed Choice ixAbout This Book ixWho This Book Is For xUnderlying Principles xiiLanguage xiiiAging in place xiiiDefinition of health xivClient centeredness xivConclusion xivPart One: Choosing the Care That Is Right for You 1Chapter 1: Aging Successfully 3Making the Choice to Age Successfully 5Dealing with the Physical Effects of Aging 6How to enhance your physical well-being 7Dealing with the Mental Effects of Aging 9How to enhance your mental well-being 9Dealing with the Spiritual Effects of Aging 10How to enhance your spiritual well-being 11Chapter 2: The Health Care System 13The Health Care System in the United States 14The Health Care System in Canada 15Supportive Health Care Services 20Case management services 20In-home support homemaker services 21Residential care services 22Shared supportive living services 22Adult day-care programs 23Special support services 23How to Get in Touch with Health Care Services 32Chapter 3: Assessment Levels 34Personal Care 35iiiIntermediate Care Level 1 36Intermediate Care Level 2 36Intermediate Care Level 3 (Special Care) 37Extended Care 39Special Care 40The Care Plan 40Chapter 4: Options for Living Independently 48Supportive Housing 51Retirement Villages or Communities 53Congregate or Subsidized Senior Housing 54Abbeyfield Housing 55Home Sharing 57Granny Flats/Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) 58Smart Houses 58Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) 59Chapter 5: Supportive Housing Options with Care 60Family Care/Adult Family Homes 61Personal Care/Board and Group Homes 61Assisted Living Facilities/Intermediate Care Homes 63Skilled Nursing Facilities (US) 64Special/Dementia Care Unit 64Extended Care Facilities 66Specialized Facilities 67Subacute Care Facilities 67Private Hospitals 68Hospice 68Multilevel Care Facilities/Continuing CareRetirement Communities (CCRCs) 69Part Two: Finding the Home That Is Right for You 71Chapter 6: Getting Quality Care 73Client-Centered Care 73Elder-Friendly Environments 76Accreditation in the United States 79Accreditation in Canada 81iv Making the Right Move: Housing Options for SeniorsChapter 7: Who Will Be Caring for You 83Administrator 83Director of Care 84Registered Nurses 84Nurse Practitioners 85Clinical Nurse Specialist 85Resident Care Aides 86Dietician 86Cook 86Maintenance Director 87Receptionist 87Physician 88Pharmacist 88Social Worker 88Recreation Therapist 88Other Staff 89Chapter 8: Choosing a Nursing Home 95How to Use the Questionnaires 96Location 97Outdoor Environment 98Indoor Environment: The Facility 99Indoor Environment: Individual Rooms 101Care Aspects 102Special Care Aspects 105Questionnaire 1: Choosing a Nursing Home 107How to Score 118Chapter 9: How to Rate the Care 119Accessibility, Type, and Cost of Rooms 119External Environment 120Internal Environment: Care Components 121Meals 121Physical care 122Emotional care 123Services, equipment, and programs 125Policies 125Procedures 128Contents vStaff policies 131Questionnaire 2: Rating the Care 133How to Score 151Staff Ratios 151How to Score and Rate the Questionnaires 151Questionnaire 3: Staff Ratios 152Chapter 10: How to Be Admitted to a Nursing Home 162Determining Eligibility 163Getting on the Wait List 164Being Admitted 164Making the Move 165Settling In 166Chapter 11: Legal Matters and Decisions 167Who Will Make Decisions for You If YouBecome Incapacitated? 168Power of Attorney 169Advance Directives for Health Care 169Wills 170Chapter 12: Making Complaints and Dealing with Abuse 172How to Complain in a Nursing Home 176Dealing with Elder Abuse 178Physical abuse 179Financial abuse 179Psychological and emotional abuse 179Sexual abuse 180Medication abuse 181Violation of civil and human rights 181Use of Restraints in Nursing Homes 184Least-Restraint Policy 185Choices and Risk 186Table 1: A Quick Guide to Levels of Care 41Appendix: Resources 187
