Home for the elderly

 What is home for the elderly?

A home for the elderly, often referred to as a nursing home, retirement home, or eldercare facility, is a residential
establishment specifically designed to provide housing, care, and support for older adults who may require assistance
with daily activities and medical needs. These facilities cater to elderly individuals who may no longer be able to live
independently due to health issues, mobility limitations, or other factors.

 What are the types of home for the elderly?

1. INDEPENDENT LIVING

Seniors that are still relatively healthy and don’t have too many issues with mobility or memory are best suited for an
independent living facility. This is a collection of apartments or homes where a group of seniors live together and socialize.

What makes an independent living community different from more complex care facilities? The seniors in one can still
choose day-to-day activities and perform basic daily care like bathing and eating by themselves. Any larger chores like
cleaning, repairing, and cooking are taken care of by the staff.

Some examples of daily activities include starting new hobbies and going to clubs. Many independent facilities also have
weekend excursions and social events for more adventurous individuals.

2. AGEING IN PLACE

One type of senior care home is the same house that seniors live in with their families. It’s not always necessary for seniors
to move away from their loved ones for care. Instead, the situation can be modified so that the senior relative can live more
comfortably.

Often, family members can provide any care that’s required. If they’re too busy with work, however, they can hire services
such as in-home caregivers and meal delivery services.

Adding certain home features can also help a senior family member get around. Family members can instal wheelchair
ramps, bathroom grab bars, etc. to give older adults more independence.

3. VILLAGE CONCEPT

A village concept is similar to ageing in place in that the senior individuals don’t want to or can’t leave their homes. The
main difference is that the people who need care don’t want or need much assistance. They may also not want to bother
their family members with requests for care.

Instead, seniors will pay for a “village membership”. By doing so, they will be able to access the services they need when
they need or want them. Services in question can include housekeeping, home maintenance, transportation, and so on.

In addition, the members of a village program may also participate in regular organized social activities. This can help
prevent elderly individuals from having to experience the negative effects of social isolation.
4. ASSISTED LIVING

Assisted living facilities can be similar to independent living facilities. There are still daily activities, and housekeeping and
cooking are handled. The main difference is how involved the staff of these facilities are with the lives of seniors.

The care staff of assisted living facilities often help seniors with certain personal tasks. They may make sure that the seniors
get all the daily medical treatments that they need such as taking medications. They may also need to assist seniors with
personal care tasks such as dressing, bathing, and eating.

24/7 emergency services are also often available to help elderly patients should they get injured.

5. RESPITE CARE

Respite care services are often shorter-term versions of senior care home or in-home caregiver services. Usually, the main
purpose of these services is to give an in-home caregiver, like a family member, a break. Taking care of an ill or disabled
elderly family member is often a 24/7 job and, like all jobs, frequent breaks can keep workers performing at their best
levels.

There are a few different kinds of respite care. Many places offer short-term versions of assisted living care, such as adult
day care centres or week- or month-long facility stays. Family members can also hire in-home caregivers to care for their
loved ones while they are away.

6. SKILLED NURSING FACILITY

Often, it’s not enough for elderly individuals to be cared for by caregivers alone. They may need licensed medical
professionals to provide for all of their needs. This is especially the case if they’re dealing with certain illnesses.

One thing to keep in mind is that no two skilled nursing facilities are exactly alike. They may differ from each other in the
kinds of illnesses that they treat. For example, one nursing facility may specialise more in providing care for memory
disorders such as Alzheimer’s, while another may provide better care for stroke victims.

7. CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY (CCRC)

A Continuing Care Retirement Community essentially offers the best of all types of senior care homes, from independent
living to skilled nursing. This type of facility can be very useful for senior residents who see themselves spending a long
time in retirement.

If their care needs change as they get older, they can easily just transition to a section of the CCRC that will provide them
with more care.

The main downside of this type of facility is it is often the most expensive when it comes to entrance fees and monthly
costs. In addition, the monthly costs can increase as the residents’ need for care gets more complex.

 What are the facilities of home for the elderly?

1. Linen and laundry services

Your residents have probably spent a lifetime doing laundry — often for their whole families. The last thing your residents
want to do in their golden years is wash and fold clothes.
So, offer a linen and laundry service to alleviate your residents of this chore. It will also accommodate your residents with
physical limitations.
How to successfully offer linen and laundry services:
 Partner with a local laundromat to pick up your residents’ laundry weekly.
 Create a small in-house laundry room for emergencies.
 Make this service optional because many of your residents will still want to complete household chores
independently.

2. Housekeeping

Offering an optional housekeeping service will both attract new prospects and retain current residents. For some residents,
cleaning and maintaining their units will become physically taxing as they age.
Partnering with a housekeeping service agency will save your residents time outsourcing a cleaning company and keep your
property safe from damages and theft. As previously noted, services that assist with basic daily living activities will be
especially helpful for residents whose capabilities decrease as they age
Pro tip: Consider applying a small amenity fee to the service to increase your property’s NOI.

3. Physical activities and trainers

Physical activities are just as important as mental activities to keep your senior residents healthy and happy! That’s why you
should designate a fitness center to offer individual exercise routines, group exercise classes, and personal training sessions.
What’s more, your group exercise classes can also double as a social event! On a regular basis, offer low-impact yoga and
dance classes that will keep your residents active while allowing them to socialize.
In addition to regulated exercise, your senior housing amenities should include outdoor amenities like a walking trail or
community garden. By encouraging physical activities without calling them “exercise,” you’ll encourage all residents to get
moving!

4. Medication management

Your residents vary in age. While some live largely independently, some need extra assistance from their senior living
communities. For your residents who require more help, you should offer a medication management program.
Offering medication management will ensure:
 Your residents get medicines in the correct doses at the right time.
 Relevant notes — such as side effects and worsening conditions — are sent to your residents’ doctors.
 Residents’ families know that their loved one’s medical concerns and needs are closely taken care of.

5. Transportation services

As your residents age, some may be unable or unwilling to drive. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially after a
lifetime of providing for themselves and their families.
Don’t worry:
You can help combat this by providing an in-house transportation service.
Generally, rides to appointments, errands, and group social outings are necessary. But consider also offering transportation
for your residents to visit family and friends.
Specifically, you should create a system that allows your residents to request and schedule rides in advance for the
upcoming weeks. By doing this, you’ll give them back a bit of the agency that they feel is lost when living in senior living
communities.

6. On-call concierge

Older residents have unique needs that may be outside the scope of maintenance workers. For example, residents may need
help with tasks as small as reaching for an item on a high shelf or assembling a new piece of furniture.
As such, having an on-call concierge available will alleviate worries that they or their family may have about living
independently. With an on-call concierge team, residents can ask for help with tasks both small and big, during all hours of
the day.
7. Social events

One of the most common reasons seniors put off moving into assisted living is fear of social isolation and loss of their way
of life. Most older people have spent decades building their social networks and they don’t want to lose those connections.
But, here’s the good news: You can combat this feeling by fostering active social lives for your residents.
For instance, bring in professionals from your area to lead cooking classes, crafting nights, and community bingo. You can
even host local talent like comedians and musicians to give your residents something fun to put on their calendars.
Equally as important is ensuring your residents’ families feel involved! You can do this by hosting events that are family-
oriented, too! By inviting them into your community, they’ll witness their loved ones thriving with their own eyes. As a
result, families will recommend your property to friends and loved ones. They’ll also be willing to work with you when
their loved one needs additional help at your property.

8. 24-hour assisted living caregivers

Because your property houses older residents, you must take extra precautions to keep them safe. Give your residents and
their families peace of mind with 24-hour caregivers on site.
These caregivers can help your residents with tasks as small as cleaning a spill and as big as assessing their medical needs.
To do this, hire licensed and trained professionals who can provide detailed care to your residents. These caregivers will
help ease residents into senior living while preserving their way of life.

9. Game rooms with entertainment

Your senior housing amenities should be all about increasing the quality of life of your residents. Many retirees shy away
from moving into assisted living facilities simply because they don’t want to be bored!
Prevent this by setting up a game room with entertainment catered to senior residents. For example, supply the room with
board games, a billiards table, and a television.
In short, your game rooms should be spaces where your tenants can hang out, get to know each other, and feel unconfined
to their units.

10. Library and computer rooms

Many residents in senior living apartments look for ways to stay sharp throughout retirement. To run a successful
independent living property, provide your residents with opportunities to learn new things.
While social activities are great for this, providing a library and a computer room encourages your residents to pursue
knowledge and learn new skills independently. Remember: Learning is a life-long journey.
Not only will these amenities encourage ongoing education, but they’ll also allow your residents to stay in touch with
family and friends. Obviously, they can use computers to keep in touch with their loved ones who live close by. But
the internet can also provide an easy way to reconnect with friends or family who live in different areas.

 Standards in designing home for the elderly

Accessible Entrances: There should be at least one accessible entrance to the home with features such as ramps,
handrails, and non-slip surfaces to facilitate easy entry for elderly individuals with mobility aids like wheelchairs or
walkers.

Door Width: Doorways should be wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs, typically around 32 inches (81 cm)
wide, to allow for easy passage throughout the home.

Hallway Width: Hallways and passageways within the home should be wide enough to accommodate wheelchairs
and provide ample space for maneuverability. A width of at least 36 inches (91 cm) is often recommended.

Floor Surfaces: Flooring materials should be chosen carefully to prevent slips and falls. Non-slip surfaces, especially
in areas prone to moisture like bathrooms and kitchens, can enhance safety for elderly

Bathroom Accessibility : Bathrooms should be designed with accessibility features such as grab bars near toilets
and showers, roll-in showers with no curb or a low curb, and sufficient space for maneuvering mobility aids.
Lighting: Adequate lighting throughout the home is essential for elderly individuals with vision impairments.
Lighting fixtures should be positioned to minimize glare and shadows, and light switches should be easily reachable
from a seated or standing position.

Electrical Outlets and Switches: Electrical outlets and switches should be installed at a height that is easily
accessible to elderly individuals, typically around 15-48 inches (38-122 cm) above the floor.

Emergency Features: Homes should be equipped with emergency call systems or alarms that are easily accessible
to elderly residents in case of emergencies.

Accessible Outdoor Spaces: If applicable, outdoor spaces such as gardens or patios should be designed with
accessibility features like smooth pathways, handrails, and seating areas to enable elderly residents to enjoy outdoor
activities safely.

 What are the example of existing home for the elderly in Philippines?

1. “Bahay Dona Rosario” by RainTree Care Services & Senior Residences

2. Blessed Family Home Care Facility
3. Camillus MedHaven Nursing Home
4. Family Centered Home Care
5. Golden Groves Assisted Living
6. Jamisola Nursing Home
7. Kanlungan ni Maria
8. La Verna Aged Care Institute Inc.
9. Life Care Residences: Independent & Assisted Living
10. Mabuhaii Nursing Home