IE: Thanks for joining us today.
Stephen Edward Samuelian: My pleasure… I am always happy to speak about topics near and dear to me, especially senior care.
IE: Let’s talk first about how to talk to your own parents about relocating to a new environment.
Stephen Edward Samuelian: It’s important to include the parent in the decision from the beginning. Even if we see a frail and aging body, their minds are very often sharp and they are perfectly capable of making choices for themselves.
IE: What about when they aren’t? Like as with Alzheimer’s or late-stage Parkinson ’s disease?
Stephen Edward Samuelian: Stay open about what’s happening. Even advanced dementia patients have moments of lucidity and will appreciate your respect and honesty.
IE: What kinds of care options are there for the 65+ community?
Stephen Edward Samuelian: There are retirement communities, assisted living, nursing homes, skilled nursing care, and home health care.
IE: What are the differences between assisted living and retirement communities?
Stephen Edward Samuelian: A “community” is often set up as such with single family homes in a planned development; residents come and go as they please. Assisted living is often similar to an apartment community with a medical and non-medical staff that’s there for assistance.
IE: And skilled nursing care…that’s the same as a nursing home, right?
Stephen Edward Samuelian: No, although some nursing homes do offer some skilled nursing care services.
IE: So what’s the difference?
Stephen Edward Samuelian: A Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) is required to have a number of advanced medical providers on-site. This will include registered nurses, therapists, and nutritional counselors.
IE: Are SNFs managed privately?
Stephen Edward Samuelian: Yes, they are usually managed by private conglomerates and governed by a board of directors. They report to Medicare for oversight.
IE: Are nursing homes regulated by Medicare?
Stephen Edward Samuelian: No, they are usually regulated by state or local agencies.
IE: Let’s shift gears now. What kinds of medical services are provided at skilled nursing facilities?
Stephen Edward Samuelian: IV medications, occupational and speech therapies, advanced pharmaceutical distribution and monitoring, and wound care are taken care of at SNFs.
IE: So basically, care that isn’t as easy as taking a few pills or checking blood sugar?
Stephen Edward Samuelian: Yes, medical services that require a skilled hand and extensive knowledge.
IE: It sounds like SNFs are best for people who need constant care and supervision?
Stephen Edward Samuelian: Yes, that’s right.
IE: That’s really good information to have and something to think about when we’re looking into care options.
Stephen Edward Samuelian: Yes. It’s not something people often consider until it’s time to start looking…
IE: We appreciate your time today. We’d like to have you back one day, perhaps to talk about building for specific medical needs.
Stephen Edward Samuelian: I’d be happy to!