ADULT HOME
Licensed by the New York State Department of Social Services, Adult homes provide
long-term residential care, room, board, housekeeping, personal care and supervision to
five or more adults unrelated to the operator. Residents must not require medical or
nursing care. Adult Homes may be either proprietary, public or not-for-profit.
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ENRICHED HOUSING PROGRAM
Licensed by the New York State Department of Social Services, the Enriched Housing
Program is established and operated for the purpose of providing long-term residential
care to five or more adults, primarily persons 65 years of age or older, in
community-integrated settings resembling independent housing units. The program provides
or arranges for the provision of room, board, housekeeping, personal care and supervision.
Enriched Housing Programs may be operated only by a public or not-for-profit sponsoring
agency.
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ASSISTED LIVING PROGRAM
Licensed by the New York State Department of Social Services and New York State
Department of Health, the Assisted Living Program, available through some Adult Homes or
Enriched Housing Programs, combines residential and home care services. It was designed as
an alternative to nursing home placement. The operator of the Assisted Living Program is
responsible for providing or arranging for resident services that must include room,
board, housekeeping, supervision, personal care, case management, and home health services
(i.e. home health aides, intermittent skilled nursing, medical supplies and equipment,
personal emergency response systems and adult day health care).
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SHARED HOUSING
A community organization owns a home or leases an apartment that is then rented to
three to ten unrelated older persons. The older persons live together as a family, sharing
the financial and daily living responsibilities. Sharers are often frail, however, and
require the informal oversight and assistance of the third-party community services
organization.
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RESIDENTIAL HEALTH CARE FACILITY
Licensed by the New York State Department of Health, these facilities are also known as
skilled nursing, intermediate or extended care facilities, nursing or convalescent homes.
Residential Health Care Facilities integrate custodial care with nursing, psycho-social
and rehabilitative services on a continuing basis, providing moderate levels of nursing
care for those in better health as well as 24 hour skilled nursing and medical care with
physician supervision for the very frail. Each individual’s potential is evaluated at
the time of admission and their care is tailored to their unique need. Costs vary
depending on the amount and kinds of services offered.
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LIFE CARE COMMUNITY
Life Care Communities are licensed by the New York State Department of Social Services,
New York State Department of Health and New York State Department of Insurance with
approval by the Life Care Community Council, which includes the New York State Attorney
General’s Office and the New York State Office for the Aging. These communities offer
a full spectrum of care levels and housing alternatives (i.e. cottages, apartments, etc.)
on an age-segregated campus. The facility provides congregate meals, supportive
assistance, personal care services and a discrete skilled nursing facility to provide
chronic skilled nursing, custodial care and various rehabilitative therapies. Generally,
residents pay a one-time entrance fee (which may or may not be refundable during the trial
period) and/or monthly maintenance fees, which include skilled nursing, care services. A
single lifetime contract defines or guarantees the extent of housing and services and
level of care the residents receive in exchange for the entry fee and/or monthly fees.
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CONTINUING CARE RETIREMENT COMMUNITY
Not currently statutorily defined and specifically regulated by New York Sate,
Continuing Care Retirement Communities provide essentially the same array of services and
range of care as Life Care Communities. They may or may not include an entrance fee and
can be a strictly rental arrangement or a series of contracts. The levels of supportive
services, personal care and health care are purchased separately. The levels of supportive
services, personal care and health care are purchased separately. The monthly charge will
not include skilled nursing care. The Continuing Care Accreditation Commission
(Washington, DC) inspects and accredits those facilities that meet certain criteria with
regard to finances, medical care, resident life and management.
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RETIREMENT RESIDENCES
Not regulated by New York State Retirement Residences are multi-unit housing facilities
that are planned, designed and managed to provide for the housing needs of older persons
who are active, able to live independently and in good health. Some provide only an
age-segregated environment and an opportunity for socialization. Accommodations vary from
single rooms with shared baths to apartments in hotel-like suites. Most housing
arrangements offer meals, housekeeping, laundry, 24-hour security and recreational and
social activities. Amenities may include dining rooms, lounges, community rooms and
libraries. Some facilities may have limited medical access; some offer an on-site service
coordinator to access personal care services from the community while others have on-site
home health care agencies. Residents pay monthly charges that include rent or rent and
utilities and in most cases community services or assistive services accessed by the
residents are paid for by the resident privately.
