Levels Of Care
SKILLED NURSING FACILITIES (a.k.a. Nursing Homes or SNFs) are appropriate for individuals who are no longer able to live independently and need to have medical assistance available at all times. These homes offer residents the supervised medical care, rehabilitation, activities, and social interaction they need. SNFs that accept Medicaid and/or Medicare must meet extensive Federal requirements set by the Centers for Medicaid & Medicare Services (CMS) and all rules and regulations of the state of NH. Many facilities also provide SHORT-TERM REHABILITATION for individuals recovering from an illness, injury, or surgery who arenāt able to go directly home. Care plans are developed to help patients regain function and return home.
ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES (State regulations call them Residential Care Centers or ALFs) offer varying levels of supervision and personal and/or medical care. ALFs are appropriate for individuals who may need assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing or dressing. The level of care and services offer vary widely from facility to facility. Some facilities offer MEMORY CARE, providing specialized living spaces and care for individuals living with Alzheimerās Disease and other forms of dementia. While there are some federal requirements that ALFs must meet if they accept Medicaid, most of the rules and regulations are set by the state of NH.
There are also CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES (CCRCs). These communities offer multiple levels of care from Independent Living to Skilled Nursing Care and residents can transition between levels of care as needed. This allows residents to receive the care they need as they āage in placeā.
Some SNFs and ALFs also provide RESPITE CARE, which offers accommodations and care for individuals living at home with family or friends when caregivers are unable to provide care for a short period of time. The facilities step in to provide necessary care so that caregivers at home have an option when they are unable to provide the daily care their loved one needs.
Jay Hayston and his staff at the CEDARCREST CENTER FOR CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES care for some of New Hampshireās youngest, most medically complex patients. Cedarcrest Center (licensed as an Intermediate Care Facility (ICF)) is a specialized pediatric medical facility and school providing comprehensive services to children with complex medical and developmental needs. It is the only pediatric post-acute long-term or short-term (respite) provider in New Hampshire. Cedarcrestās medical staff and special educators truly understand the needs of each child. They envision and then implement excellent care plans, IEP-focused curricula, and truly engaging recreational opportunities.