In the United States, it is estimated that 7 out of 10 seniors will require assisted living or long term care (LTC) at some point in their lifetime which is projected to put a strain on the LTC industry as the Baby Boom generation ages.
“The U.S. will need nearly 1 million new senior living units by 2040,” estimates Haven Senior Investments.
With the U.S. population of those ages 85 and older slated to double by 2036 and triple by 2049, some are calling this a Silver Tsunami or Gray Wave. There could be 27 million Americans that need LTC by 2050, according to the CDC.
“As the aging population in Texas increases, the long-term care industry must prepare for an influx of residents who will be suffering from complicated neurological-related disorders and dementia such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. This population of seniors will require the round-the-clock, intensive, skilled care that nursing homes provide,” says the Texas Health Care Association (THCA).
The THCA asks if a perfect storm could overwhelm nursing homes as Baby Boomers reach retirement.
Fortunately in the last 40 years in the country, LTC options have opened up behind the traditional nursing home with many types of care facilities available from memory care to rehabilitation to assisted living.
“Assisted living as a concept is still relatively new. For a long time, nursing homes were the only senior care option available. However, in the 1980s, a more person-centered care model was born — enter assisted living,” writes senior care expert Claire Samuels.
It can be hard to understand the difference between “care facilities” because in different states and regions, the facilities may be called by different names, but they all provide various levels of care to individuals who require assistance with daily activities, medical care, or specialized services.
The National Institute on Aging says that at some point support from family, friends, and local programs may not be enough. People who require help full-time might move to a residential facility that provides many or all of the long-term care services they need.
“Facility-based long-term care services include: board and care homes, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, and continuing care retirement communities,” says The National Institute on Aging. “Some facilities have only housing and housekeeping, but many also provide personal care and medical services. Many facilities offer special programs for people with Alzheimer's disease and other types of dementia.”
Here are the different types of “care facilities” you may encounter as you seek care for yourself or a family member:
o 15,600 nursing homes in the U.S. with 70 percent for-profit ownership.
o There are 1.7 million licensed beds in nursing homes.
o There were 1.3 million residents in nursing homes.
The National Institute on Aging says: “Nursing homes, also called skilled nursing facilities, provide a wide range of health and personal care services. Their services focus on medical care more than most assisted living facilities. These services typically include nursing care, 24-hour supervision, three meals a day, and assistance with everyday activities. Rehabilitation services, such as physical, occupational, and speech therapy, are also available.
Some people stay at a nursing home for a short time after being in the hospital. After they recover, they go home. However, most nursing home residents live there permanently because they have ongoing physical or mental conditions that require constant care and supervision.”
o 28,900 assisted living communities in the U.S.
o There are nearly 1 million licensed beds in assisted living communities.
o The average size of an assisted living community is 33 licensed beds.
Typical services you find in assisted living:
o 24-hour supervision and assistance
o Exercise, health, and wellness programs
o Housekeeping and maintenance
o Meals and dining services
o Medication management or assistance
o Personal care services (such as Activities of Daily Living [ADLs])
o Transportation
Some assisted living facilities offer other services such as hospice, skilled nursing, therapy (physical, occupational, and speech), and more.
o 4,700 hospice care agencies.
o 1.6 million hospice care patients.
o 4,127 adult day services centers
o 237,400 adult day services centers participants.
The National Adult Day Services Association says that “adult Day Services centers provide a coordinated program of professional and compassionate services for adults in a community-based group setting. Services are designed to provide social and some health services to adults who need supervised care in a safe place outside the home during the day. They also afford caregivers respite from the demanding responsibilities of caregiving. Adult Day centers generally operate during normal business hours five days a week. Some programs offer services in the evenings and on weekends.”
Services typically include:
o Social activities
o Transportation
o Meals and snacks
o Personal care
o Therapeutic activities
The CDC says that as of 2018: