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What Is...Senior Care?

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Senior care, often referred to as elder care or long-term care, covers a broad spectrum of services. Although it is commonly believed that elder care only serves those who require skilled nursing care, many choices now exist for various types of care services due to the varied demographics of aging today.

Senior care begins when previously independent individuals are no longer able to perform life's daily routine activities. For many recipients, the process evolves into different types of care as mental and physical capacities decline. A typical elder care cycle often includes the following:

1. Custodial care, which includes assistance with activities of daily living such as grocery shopping, bathing or driving.
2. Skilled care, in either a nursing facility or at home, often including rehabilitation after surgery or illness.
3. Care for cognitive impairments such as Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia; and
4. Palliative care for individuals who can no longer benefit from regular medical treatment.

Posted in: Glossary, Glossary

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