isleading as to what level of care theyare providing. Both the government and nationalorganizations are currently addressing this issue. My ownexperience with an assisted living facility has been quitegood. Formerly my grandmother was a resident of anassisted living facility. The facility was specifically built forseniors and was that of an apartment like structure. Thefacility provided social and recreational activities on acontinual basis. There was also transportation serviceavailable for residents who wished to use it. Mygrandmother thoroughly enjoyed living in an assisted livingfacility where she had the opportunity to make numerousfriends, participate in activities and remain independent.Long Term Care Long-term care patients are categorizedby having a chronic condition and/or disease. Thelong-term care facility can be either hospital-based orfreestanding. It consists of an organized medical staff,which provides continuous nursing services underprofessional nurse direction. The patient's status isreviewed on a regular basis to determine if they meetcriteria to remain at the facility. The long-term care facilityis regulated by state licensure regulations, federalregulations and Joint Commission on Accreditation ofHealth Care Organizations (JCAHO). State licensure ismandatory, Federal regulation is only necessary if thefacility participates with Medicare and Medicaid, andJCAHO standards are voluntary. Long term-care is veryexpensive and it often becomes a financial catastrophe forthe elderly person and their family. Private insurance isunlikely to cover the full cost of care and Medicare onlypays for a limited amount. The person usually musteliminate a substantial amount of their assets to becomeeligible for Medicaid which covers long term care.According to Growing Old In America "In order for elderlypersons to qualify for nursing home care under Medicaid,they usually must reduce their personal financial status tothe poverty level (...
