April 2008 Newsletter-p.3
...From Leigh
Clearing Up the Confusion About Levels of Care
The consumer is able to distinguish between the term “independent living” and “assisted
living” by two key factors. Independent living implies that no health care services are included
in the rates and that the housing is an unlicensed service. All health care entities, including
assisted living, nursing facilities, and home health agencies, require licensure by the state of
Texas.
Independent Living
Independent living communities are designed to provide housing and support services to
persons over age 62. Services offered vary widely by community. Common services offered
include: meals, housekeeping, laundry, transportation, and social activities. Just by residing
in a senior community, the consumer has a greater sense of security, a quiet atmosphere, and
close neighbors that check on one another. Some communities have staff on property 24
hours a day that respond to emergency call lights found in individual apartments or living
units. Most living units would include kitchens so individuals can do some of their own cooking
and entertainment of guests.
Other communities offer services to the 55 plus population. Broadly speaking, one could
expect to see some residents slightly younger; however, no children under 18 would be
allowed as residents. Residents are generally responsible for their own needs. This type of
category would include big communities where residents own their own homes like Robson
Ranch or Sun City.
Assisted Living
Assisted living communities are licensed by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability
Services and offer more personal care, such as assistance with bathing and dressing and
reminders about medications, while still allowing for independence. Almost always, assisted
living includes all meals. Staff is on duty 24 hours and a resident may need to check out and
back in as they go and come from the facility. In Texas, most assisted living facilities are
categorized as type A or B.
In a Type A facility residents must be physically and mentally capable of evacuating the facility
unassisted in the event of an emergency. In a Type B facility, the resident can need staff
assistance in order to evacuate.
A facility must prepare a disclosure statement available to the public to give a clear picture of
the services provided by that facility, as those services can vary widely.
Nursing Facilities
When a person needs 24 hour supervision by a licensed nurse; a nursing facility would be the
appropriate level of care. Many older persons do require short term nursing facility stays
during an acute illness or for the purpose of rehabilitation, afterwards returning to their own
homes or to a lower level of care in a senior community.
Home Health Care
In all settings, including one’s own home, a family can arrange for additional help by bringing
in home health care or companion services from a licensed provider. The type of help
available is almost unlimited, but paying privately for this type of one-on-one care may be
costly. A person can hire a helper from 3 hours to 24 hours. Most licensed agencies ensure
that staff have been screened and had criminal background checks conducted.
Useful Web Sites
For more information, please visit the following web sites: www.dads.state.tx.us (Texas
Department of Aging and Disability Services.); www.texasala.org (Texas Assisted Living
Association); www.aahsa.org/consumer_info (American Association of Homes and Services for
the Aging)
Written by Virginia Langston McDaniel, M.S.
Good Samaritan Society-Denton Village
2500 Hinkle Drive
Denton , Texas 76201
940-383-6347
fax: 382-9306
...From Leigh
Clearing Up the Confusion About Levels of Care
The consumer is able to distinguish between the term “independent living” and “assisted
living” by two key factors. Independent living implies that no health care services are included
in the rates and that the housing is an unlicensed service. All health care entities, including
assisted living, nursing facilities, and home health agencies, require licensure by the state of
Texas.
Independent Living
Independent living communities are designed to provide housing and support services to
persons over age 62. Services offered vary widely by community. Common services offered
include: meals, housekeeping, laundry, transportation, and social activities. Just by residing
in a senior community, the consumer has a greater sense of security, a quiet atmosphere, and
close neighbors that check on one another. Some communities have staff on property 24
hours a day that respond to emergency call lights found in individual apartments or living
units. Most living units would include kitchens so individuals can do some of their own cooking
and entertainment of guests.
Other communities offer services to the 55 plus population. Broadly speaking, one could
expect to see some residents slightly younger; however, no children under 18 would be
allowed as residents. Residents are generally responsible for their own needs. This type of
category would include big communities where residents own their own homes like Robson
Ranch or Sun City.
Assisted Living
Assisted living communities are licensed by the Texas Department of Aging and Disability
Services and offer more personal care, such as assistance with bathing and dressing and
reminders about medications, while still allowing for independence. Almost always, assisted
living includes all meals. Staff is on duty 24 hours and a resident may need to check out and
back in as they go and come from the facility. In Texas, most assisted living facilities are
categorized as type A or B.
In a Type A facility residents must be physically and mentally capable of evacuating the facility
unassisted in the event of an emergency. In a Type B facility, the resident can need staff
assistance in order to evacuate.
A facility must prepare a disclosure statement available to the public to give a clear picture of
the services provided by that facility, as those services can vary widely.
Nursing Facilities
When a person needs 24 hour supervision by a licensed nurse; a nursing facility would be the
appropriate level of care. Many older persons do require short term nursing facility stays
during an acute illness or for the purpose of rehabilitation, afterwards returning to their own
homes or to a lower level of care in a senior community.
Home Health Care
In all settings, including one’s own home, a family can arrange for additional help by bringing
in home health care or companion services from a licensed provider. The type of help
available is almost unlimited, but paying privately for this type of one-on-one care may be
costly. A person can hire a helper from 3 hours to 24 hours. Most licensed agencies ensure
that staff have been screened and had criminal background checks conducted.
Useful Web Sites
For more information, please visit the following web sites: www.dads.state.tx.us (Texas
Department of Aging and Disability Services.); www.texasala.org (Texas Assisted Living
Association); www.aahsa.org/consumer_info (American Association of Homes and Services for
the Aging)
Written by Virginia Langston McDaniel, M.S.
Good Samaritan Society-Denton Village
2500 Hinkle Drive
Denton , Texas 76201
940-383-6347
fax: 382-9306
