Aging in Place - An Individual Choice
Definition
The State of Florida assisted living statute describes this as a process of providing increased or adjusted (personal care) services to a person to compensate for the physical or mental decline that may occur with the aging process, in order to maximize the person's dignity and independence and permit them to remain in a familiar, noninstitutional, residential environment for as long as possible.
This law goes further by describing that such personal care services may be provided by facility staff, volunteers, family or friends, or through contractual arrangements with a third party.
Advocacy
At HCCG, we advocate for the health care consumer and provider, so to meet and exceed the definition above. For those who face living with decreased physical function or neurodegenerative disease, it is a privilege to maintain living independently as they age. We assess the individual person and the provider, so to match the most attainable aging in place environment. Depending on the individual's condition, the existing home space is best, while a long term care facility, with proper care, may present to be the safest option. An existing home supplemented with skilled home care services and thoughtful space alterations can make this an ideal option for the individual.
Activities of Daily Living
These activities are physical functions and tasks for individual self-care, including ambulation, bathing, dressing, eating, grooming, and toileting and other similar tasks. Also known as ADLs, these activities are considered to be personal (care) services whenever an individual requires assistance or supervision within a long term care facility or by a home health service provider.
It's important to understand the individual's limitations when considering continuing living at home or moving to a long term care facility. HCCG views all angles so to place an individual in the proper environment so future moves are limited.
Medication Management
These activities are medication-centric services which are also considered to be personal (care) services depending on the level of assistance required by the individual and where the individual is receiving these services. In a long term care facility, an individual requiring assistance with self-administration of daily medications may live in an assisted living facility (ALF), while someone who needs complete medication administration, may live in a nursing home, with medication services performed by a licensed nurse.
When receiving home health services in a private residence, an individual may receive any type of medication management as prescribed by a physician and assessed by the individual's nurse.
Guidance
HCCG has a team of health care professionals. We are Solutionists, who weigh all the variables to ensure utmost quality of care and quality of life for the future of the individual, as well as the provider. We've been curating health-specific services for many years. Our collective on-the-field, health care compliance and clinical experience spans many decades, and we are adept in aligning providers and individuals who are committed to a Compliance-Plus standard!
by Nicolas Frias, M.Sc.
Primary Consultant