One question often asked of the admissions team here at Christian Health Care Center is some version of “What level of care does dad need?”
Based on their care needs, family members of elders in Whatcom County often call asking for information they can use to decide what type of living arrangements would maximize their quality of life.
Here are a few basic options you might consider, based on your loved one’s daily level of activity and need for support, in Bellingham, Lynden or wherever else you might be.
Receiving care at home:
At-home caregivers often are family members or friends, but they also can be licensed professionals or other experienced healthcare providers. The caregiver typically will visit you at home and provide occasional services around the house. You can remain in the familiar comfort of home while getting help with simple tasks of daily life. Another option is to move to the home of the family member who provides care.
This service is best for:
- Individuals who are pretty independent but could use occasional assistance; caregivers can provide accompaniment on doctor visits and help shop for groceries, monitor medication or prepare meals.
24-hour at-home care:
Round-the-clock care is for people who want to continue living at home but who might require assistance at any time of day or night. As above, caregivers are often family members or friends. Professional caregivers also are available, especially for overnight or longer shifts.
This service is best for:
- People who might need help at any time of day or night but who typically don’t have medically extensive needs. This care also would be good for individuals with memory loss who might be healthy otherwise but who need 24-hour care for safety reasons.
Assisted living:
Assisted living communities offer home-like settings for semi-independent adults who enjoy the feeling of living on their own but who need varying levels of supervision and support. A number of these centers are available in Bellingham, Lynden and the rest of Whatcom County, and these vary in the type of accommodation available, from private apartments to shared living situations. Skilled nursing is typically not available at these facilities.
This service is best for:
- Those who can handle many daily activities on their own but who would benefit from the regular care and attention of medical staff and a bit of socialization or sense of community. If your loved one can no longer live on his or her own but doesn’t require extensive care, assisted living might be the right choice.
Skilled nursing care:
Christian Health Care Center is a skilled nursing center. Skilled nursing facilities, also often known as nursing homes, must have registered nurses (RNs) and/or licensed practical nurses (LPNs) on staff to care for more extensive medical needs, and they offer a more organized way of living — for example, meals are cooked for you and numerous activities are made available. Our Lynden skilled nursing facility aims to provide a comfortable standard of living for those with higher daily medical needs or who need assistance with dementia care. You remain independent but are always surrounded by the caring attention of nurses and nursing assistants.
This service is best for:
- People whose medical or physical needs are greater than those provided for in an assisted-living setting.
As you’re deciding what type of living arrangement is best for your loved one, we hope this brief list of elder living options available in Whatcom County is helpful. If you need assistance and want to know if our Lynden skilled nursing facility is right for long-term care living, please give us a call at 360-354-4434.