It goes without saying that different individuals have different priorities, and the level of care needed depends on factors such as mobility, cognitive abilities, and overall health. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of the different levels of assisted living services available so that you and your loved ones can make an informed decision about the level of support and care that is required.

So which one should you choose? It’s time to put on your Goldilocks cap and find the level of care for you that's not too hot, not too cold - but juuust right!

Level 1: Independent Living

Independent living is the lowest level of care in assisted living services. This level is suitable for individuals who are still able to perform most daily activities on their own, but may require some assistance or prefer the convenience of having certain services provided:

• Residents typically have their own private apartments or houses within the assisted living community. 
• Freedom to come and go as they please and participate in various social activities. 
• May have access to services such as housekeeping, laundry, and transportation.
• Meals are often provided in dining areas where residents can socialize and interact with others.

Independent living is “juuust right” for individuals who seek to maintain their independence while still having access to a supportive environment and a sense of community.

Level 2: Assisted Living

Assisted living is the next level of care in assisted living services. This level is suitable for individuals who require some assistance with daily activities and personal care tasks:

• Residents typically have their own private apartments or rooms within the assisted living community
• May receive assistance with bathing, dressing, medication management, and other tasks as needed.
• Often provide 24-hour staff availability to ensure the safety and well-being of residents.
• Access to various amenities and activities, including dining areas, common areas for socializing, and scheduled transportation for appointments or outings.

Assisted living is “juuust right” for those wanting to find a good balance between independence and support, allowing them to receive the assistance they need while still maintaining a sense of autonomy.

Level 3: Memory Care

Memory care is a specialized level of care in assisted living services designed to cater to individuals with memory impairments, such as Alzheimer's disease or dementia:

• Designed to provide a safe and structured environment for individuals with memory loss.
• Residents typically have their own private rooms within a secure area of the assisted living community
• Designed to provide a safe and structured environment that minimizes confusion and promotes familiarity, with features such as clear signage, color-coded cues, and memory-enhancing activities. 
• Staff trained to understand the unique needs of residents with memory impairments and provide appropriate care and support.
• 24/7 Staff support with personal care tasks, medication management, and other needs.
• Often include specialized activities and therapies to help maintain cognitive function and enhance quality of life.

Memory care is “juuust right” for those needing a supportive and understanding environment for individuals with memory impairments, allowing them to live with dignity and receive the care they need.

Level 4: Skilled Nursing Care

Lastly, skilled nursing care is the highest level of care in assisted living services. This level is suitable for individuals who have complex medical needs and require round-the-clock nursing care, and often provide a separate area or wing of the assisted living community, known as a nursing home or skilled nursing facility:

• Access to 24-hour nursing staff who can provide medical care, administer medications, and monitor their health conditions. 
• Skilled nursing care may be necessary for individuals who have chronic illnesses, advanced stages of certain diseases, or have recently undergone surgery or medical procedures. Skilled nursing care facilities have staff trained to provide specialized care and support for these individuals.
• Rehabilitation services, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. 

Skilled nursing care is “juuust right” for those in need of comprehensive medical care and support with complex needs, ensuring safety, comfort, and well-being.

We hope that the information here provided here serves to clarify the differences between each level. Making a fully informed decision regarding the level of care required can be the difference between a less-than-satisfying experience and a fulfilling one. Senior living services should add to quality of life, not detract, and therefore it is the consumer’s responsibility to make sure that they are using all the resources available to them in order to make an educated decision. If each aspect is not carefully reviewed before committing, it is easy to overlook some of the differences - and you may just burn yourself!

If you’ve been following our blog series outlining the ins-and-outs of the new CMS mandates, you might be relieved to learn that this week’s blog contains a note of, dare I say, optimism?

By now, you probably know all about the minimum staffing rule, the lack of funding, and the juxtaposition between post acute care facilities and rising patient acuity cases in hospitals. While all worrisome and anxiety-inducing, there comes a time when one must stop airing their grievances and focus on the solutions. 

This blog is highlighting one of them: College developmental programs.

In response to the rising demand for RNs in skilled nursing facilities, college developmental programs are making headway. Universities across the country, such as the University of New England, have launched accelerated 12-month nursing degree programs, cutting the time necessary to earn a bachelor's degree in nursing by 75%. The new programming supersedes the existing 'accelerated' 16-month nursing degree program, ultimately reducing the length of study by an additional 4 months. 

The highly intense, accelerated nursing programs are designed with the intention of fulfilling the nationwide staff shortages by reducing the time necessary to become a practicing nurse. It sounds great, right?

But, as we all know, there are two sides to every coin, here’s what we’re thinking:

Pros 

• Opportunity to gain significant nursing knowledge and skill at an accelerated pace.
• Accelerated programs garner additional attention because they are shorter in duration and will typically allow students to save money when compared to a 4-year commitment.
• Accelerated programs allow for quick career changes, which is good for individuals who may have already been interested in nursing but perhaps settled for other industries.
• Colleges and universities will be able to turn out practicing nurses at an expedited rate, helping to combat the nationwide nursing shortages.

Cons

• Such a short length of study raises questions of true preparedness and competency in the field of medicine.
• There is a wide range of prerequisite courses and admission criteria necessary to be accepted into the accelerated programs, blurring the academic timeline as far as how long students would actually be studying prior to practicing.
• The rigorous curriculum and rate of programming could result in burnout before students even reach the opportunity to practice professionally.

So there you have it, accelerated college nursing programs: a silver lining amidst the current plight. While not foolproof, they have their perks and penalties like any other, and it’s important to acknowledge the efforts of academic institutions across the country in answering the nursing shortages call. Time will tell whether it is all that it is being hyped up to be, but in the meantime, it is at least one solution to an issue that needs fixing; There’s not much room for complaint when there aren’t many remedies to choose from.

Heard of any other ways SNFs are looking to address the nationwide nursing staff shortages? Comment below, or email us, we’d love to know! 

The NBA, WNBA, NHL, and NFL leagues are all underway, so it’s time for you to recall the best sports team dynasty you can think of: The players on that team, each player’s role, and lastly, what set them apart from the other teams they competed against. What made them so successful? I have one hypothesis:

Culture.

The teams that are the most successful have a history of unrelenting culture - from the very top leader to the bottom. New members are indoctrinated into the routines, habits, standards, and codes of conduct set by seasoned players- players who want to win, who know how to win, and have a history of winning often. These seasoned players, or veterans, often spearhead the sports dynasties we see and support today, serving as an example of what can be achieved when skill and experience come together.  

So how does this relate to senior care facilities?

 Staff are much like the players on your favorite sports team - they are hired to do a job and do it to the best of their ability. However, in the same way that athletes cut contracts, request trades, and retire unexpectedly, there is a lot that happens behind the scenes that decides if the company is able to retain an employee or not. Whether it’s poor internal communication, lack of personal time, or salary disagreements, to name a few, there are plenty of reasons why an individual would choose to vacate a position and look elsewhere. Long story short, unhappy employees leave. 

For skilled nursing facilities, this presents a problem because there is not, in fact, more fish in the sea. Unlike athletes, many of whom compete for the same position and sense of glory, CNAs and RN’s are not as plentiful and SNFs everywhere are already scraping the bottom of the barrel due to the new, pricey CMS mandates. It’s not a simple task to recruit and onboard new staff when you don’t even have the resources or time to pay for it. 

So then the question becomes:

“Well, how do we ensure our current employees remain happy?”

Here are three ways:

1. Cultivate a positive work environment. 

A toxic work environment is not only a deterrent in and of itself, but it amplifies patient and staff safety issues. Nobody likes to wake up and already dread going into work! In a study conducted by Sage Journals, it was found that workplaces that promoted an environment that encouraged teamwork and civility experienced lower rates of turnover, burnout and CMS penalties due to low-performance scores. Fostering a positive work environment can look like many things: 

• Recognizing the work of employees publicly
• Frequently providing positive feedback to employees
• Creating open dialogue via check-ins or anonymous reviews
• Adding slowly to workloads in order to prevent burnout. 

Simply by ensuring that your employees feel seen, heard, appreciated, and rested, you will drastically reduce the turnover rate of your employees. 

2. Manage your scheduling. 

Employees do best when they know what to expect and are capable of fulfilling what is being asked of them. Maintaining a predictable, transparent and organized schedule gives staff the confidence that comes with being prepared. Just like athletes, clinical staff can only be truly prepared if they know what the game plan is and how to execute it. Therefore, consider how you can increase the level of communication and transparency throughout your facility. Do you know who is on the floor at all times? Do you know the strengths and weaknesses of each employee and their ability to meet each residents’ needs? Do you know which employees are approaching overtime? Being aware of the finer details allows you to see where there is opportunity for schedule flexibility, shift limits, and mandated time off - all of which have been shown to improve employee happiness. In many ways, it all comes down to having visibility throughout your facility, allowing you to confidently direct and prepare staff in a way that improves efficiency, patient outcomes and job satisfaction.

3. Update your systems.

While it may seem costly upfront, updating your systems will only pay off in the long run. In an industry that is already stressful and time sensitive, the last thing employees want to deal with is software and technology issues. Staff have residents and patients that rely on them to provide high-quality, timely and complete care, which is made harder when the technology is slow, poorly designed and dysfunctional. Keeping your software and operating system up to date will allow you to streamline the coordination of care between various interdisciplinary teams, enhance your cybersecurity measures, and reduce frustrations related to administrative failures.

In conclusion, experience and skill wins championships, regardless of what uniform is being worn. Make sure your team has the leaders (and followers) it needs to be successful!

Have any of your own tips to add? Let us know!