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When researching retirement options, it is easy to become confused if you are not familiar with industry terminology. Westchester Meadows is a Life Care retirement community, which is a form of a continuing care retirment community. The glossary of terms listed below may be helpful to you.
RESIDENTIAL HOUSING: A community or dwelling consisting of apartments designed to enable elderly and/or disabled residents to live without assistance. Most are handicapped-accessible and are supervised by a housing manager.
There are two types of senior housing, subsidized and market-rate housing. With subsidized housing, applicants must meet certain income criteria in order to pay a portion of the rent and have the government subsidize the balance. Market-rate housing rents are based on community real estate rental averages, and are open to tenants who can afford to pay the established rental rate.
Regulatory oversight of independent housing includes the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR).
CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES (CCRC): including modified, fee-for-service, and co-op: A comprehensive, cohesive living arrangement for retired persons which provides independent living units through equity (i.e., the resident actually owns the residence) and non-equity models, board, and a range of health care and social services, including home care, nursing care, and at least 60 days of on-site or affiliated nursing facility care. In addition, CCRCs must provide access to health services, prescription drugs, and rehabilitation services.
Regulatory oversight of CCRCs includes the New York State Department of Health, (10 NYCRR, Chapter VII, Part 900), Article 46 of the Public Health Law, New York State Department of Social Services, State Insurance Department, (11 NYCRR, Chapter XIII, Part 350), Attorney Generals Office, Section 612(c) of the Tax Law, General Municipal Law, Chapter 66 of the Laws of 1994.
LIFE CARE COMMUNITIES: A type of continuing care retirement community which provides a full range of supportive services, as well as a lifetime guarantee for skilled nursing home care as a part of its contract. Specifically, the package usually includes a residential apartment, housekeeping, a meal package, maintenance services, and numerous other amenities. Although Life Care contracts are generally associated with substantial entrance and monthly fees, these fees guarantee use of all community services, without risk of an increase to the established monthly fee.
Regulatory oversight of Life Care communities includes the New York State Department of Health, (10 NYCRR, Chapter VII, Part 900), Article 46 of the Public Health Law, New York State Department of Social Services, State Office for the Aging, State Insurance Department, Attorney Generals Office, Section 612(c) of the Tax Law, General Municipal Law, Chapter 66 of the Laws of 1994.
HOME CARE:
Certified Home Health Agencies: Certified home health agencies (CHHAs) are certified by the New York State Department of Health and are qualified to participate in Title XVII (Medicare) and Title XIX (Medicaid) of the Federal Social Security Act. CHHAs must provide, at a minimum, the following services which are of a preventative, therapeutic, rehabilitative, health guidance and/or support nature to persons at home: nursing services, home health aide services, medical supplies, and equipment/appliances suitable for home use. In addition, at least one of the following services must be provided by a CHHA: physical therapy, occupational therapy, nutritional services, speech/language pathology, and social work services. CHHAs are regulated by the New York State Department of Health, Article 36 of the NYS Public Health Law, Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA), and Section 1879 of the Social Security Act.
Licensed Home Care Services: Licensed home care services (LHCSAs) are voluntary, non-profit or proprietary organizations granted a license from the New York State Department of Health to provide, either directly or through a contract, at least one of the following services: nursing (e.g. blood pressure monitoring, medication coordination), home health care, or personal care (e.g. bathing, dressing, housekeeping). LHCSAs are regulated by the New York State Department of Health. Reimbursement is by private pay, Medicaid, or the Long Term Health Care Program (i.e. via a contractual relationship).
ADULT CARE FACILITIES (ACRS):
Adult care facilities/adult homes: These facilities provide room and board, congregate meals and personal care with activities. The typical adult home is an ACF that generally consists of two-person rooms with shared baths but no in-room cooking facilities. While some adult homes have nursing personnel on staff, they do not have the capacity to provide intensive medical or nursing services.
Enriched Housing: Enriched housing is a specific model of adult care facility (ACF) offered through senior housing organizations and is designed to help people who have aged in place (i.e. have become older and frailer since they moved into the facility) remain in the independent living sector but also receive services that will enable them to stay. For example, such services might include personal care, light housekeeping, laundry services, shopping, cooking and congregate meals. Unlike an ACF/adult home, enriched housing is an apartment setting with private bath and kitchen. If a client needs more intensive care than can be offered through enriched housing, he or she may need to consider moving to assisted living.
In New York State, certain ACFs have been licensed to provide a higher level of health-related services. Known as assisted living programs, these adult homes include services provided by a home care agency, such as nursing, therapy, and medical administration.
Adult care facilities/adult homes are regulated by the New York State Department of Health. Facilities are reimbursed through private pay, Federal supplemental security income (for low-income seniors or disabled clients), or Medicaid (in assisted living programs).
ASSISTED LIVING PROGRAM: Assisted living is a level of care between the adult care facility and nursing facility. Assisted living services range from shopping and housekeeping to personal care, and may include home health care and therapy, depending on individual needs. New York State's certified assisted living programs enter into contracts with certified home health agencies (CHHAs) and long term home health care agencies to offer in-house personal care, home health care, and/or therapy to the residents.
State-certified assisted living programs must be offered in an adult care facility, under New York state's definition of assisted living and are regulated by the New York State Department of Health. However, a number of organizations have built independent housing facilities which offer a customized package of services, sometimes including home care, to residents under a variety of fee structures. Some of these facilities are not regulated in New York State, although home care services provided in the facilities are regulated by the Department of Health Bureau of Home Health Care Services.
RESIDENTIAL HEALTH CARE FACILITIES (NURSING HOMES): Nursing facilities provide 24-hour medical care, activities, supervision, and social services to the frail elderly and chronically-disabled populations. These represent the most complicated, the most expensive, level of care and are aimed at providing services to those persons who need 24 hour medical care and supervision. Nursing facilities can offer a wide range of medical-based services, including rehabilitation, occupational and physical therapy, and services to specialty populations such as persons with AIDS, traumatic brain injuries, Alzheimers disease, multiple sclerosis, Huntingtons disease, and other chronic or life-threatening conditions.
Residential Health Care Facilities are regulated by the New York State Department of Health. Reimbursement mechanisms include private pay, long term care insurance, private insurance, Medicaid, and Medicare (in specific, limited cases).