Differences Between Basic Care Facilities & Nursing Homes
"Basic care facility" is used in North Dakota to describe what in most other states is called an assisted living facility, residential care facility, personal care facility or board and care facility. These facilities and nursing homes both serve frail adults.
Other People Are Reading
-
North Dakota Regulations
-
"Basic care facility" means a facility licensed by the North Dakota Century Code chapter 23-09.3. In the 53 qualifying state facilities, the aim is on providing room and board, and health, social and personal care.
They try to help residents achieve their highest level of functioning, in concert with their assessments. They are required to serve five or more residents not related by blood or marriage to the owner or manager, who must provide care on a 24-hour basis within the facility. The services must include assistance with activities of daily living, provision of recreational and therapeutic activities, and supervision of nutrition and medication.
Basic care, or assisted living settings, serve to bridge the gap between nursing homes and independent living arrangements.
Government Oversight
-
In North Dakota and elsewhere, residential care facilities have less government supervision and regulation than nursing homes. In most states and North Dakota, Medicare does not pay for this care. Therefore, most of the funds to pay for residents of these facilities is provided by the states.
-
Nursing Homes
-
Nursing homes, or long-term care facilities, generally have residents with more serious health needs. Their residents are more likely to have greater deficits in their ability to manage on their own activities of daily living, which includes brushing your teeth, eating, bathing, taking medicine and moving from a bed to a chair unassisted.
The American Healthcare Association sees the goal of a nursing home as providing its residents with help meeting their medical, physical, socialization and psychological needs. The aim is to return them to independent or assisted living when that is possible.
Appropriate Care
-
Some adults lose their ability to manage on their own because of a physically debilitating problem such as a stroke. Others may develop a cognitive disorder such as Alzheimer's Disease that makes it impossible for them to live independently. Basic care facilities are less restrictive than nursing homes, but still provide the care and safety sufficient for many frail adults. Nursing homes are most appropriate for those with greater medical needs.
Conclusion
-
When adults can no longer manage independently with the aid of family and friends, they must consider the best setting to assist with their level of disability. Ideally, the least restrictive setting in which a person can function comfortably is the best.
-
