Introduction
To begin with, both Continuing Care Retirement Center (CCRC) and a Skilled Nursing Facility (SNF) is based on the principle of providing assistance and help to people who are senior and independent. These units provide valuable services to residents entering through a long-term contract, enabling seniors to remain in a familiar setting as they grow older. Centers are set by non-profit-based agencies that cater to different ethnic or social groups like Christians, Jews, etc. Therefore, it is easy to adjust as one can find his or her match in no time (helpguide.org).
Skilled Nursing Facility
Skilled Nursing Facilities (SNF) provides a 24-hour service to people who are unable to look after themselves due to emotional, physical, or mental conditions. These services are provided by registered nurses while a licensed physician supervises each person and looks after their bathing, dressing, eating, and other daily activities. Candidates can stay in an SNF for a temporary treatment or they can register for a long-term contract as well. (Angelelli, p.246).
Continuing Care Retirement Centers
While SNF provides only nursing facilities and treatments, Continuing Care Retirement Centers (CCRC) provide independent living, nursing home, and housing services as well. Candidates usually enter into a CCRC when they are healthy and active, to live independently. Once they feel they need proper care, they can move into a nursing home within the CCRC. Many people are now moving from SNF to CCRC due to proper lifestyle, social groups, and extracurricular activities provided that might not be present in an SNF. (Keating, p.93).
Advantages and Disadvantages
Nursing facilities and CCRCs provide once in a lifetime chance to live in a place where people are cared for and looked after with proper nursing facilities, food, medicines, and extracurricular activities. The fee provided is usually a one-time payment. In case of financial problems, monthly/daily payments can be made or the contract can be renewed after a certain period. In case of poor facility or services provided at a CCRC/SNF, a complaint to the State Survey Agency can be made with a request for investigation and action.
On the other hand, fees for registering into a CCRC unit can range from as low as $20,000 to $400,000 while monthly payments can vary from $200 to $2,500 (www.strengthforcaring.com; 2009). In most cases, the entrance fees are not refundable and it is a sort of a permanent contract, therefore, one should be very careful in planning. On the other hand, SNF’s fee is based upon the treatment a patient is going to receive and is relatively low most of the time.
Conclusion
It is necessary to evaluate a CCRC or an SNF before you want to make a contract because it may have a good physical setting but an untrained staff or vice versa. Check out if any other CCRC or SNF is providing better facilities at a low price. Make sure that the food being served and the timing of different facilities/assistance (such as bathing, dressing, medicines, etc.) is given importance. It’s best to find a CCRC or SNF that has facilities and people matching the requirements of those who want to sign in.
Works Cited
- Angelelli, J. A comparison of skilled nursing facility rehabilitation treatment and outcomes under Medicare managed care and Medicare fee-for-service reimbursement. The Gerontologist (2000) 40 (6); pg. 646
- Keating, D. Appraising continuing care retirement centers: The income approach. The Appraisal Journal (1994) 62 (4); pg. 546.
- “Continuing Care Retirement Communities: A Background and Summary of Current Issues.” U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
- “Long-Term Care: Nursing Facilities.”
- “Nursing Homes: Skilled Nursing Facilities”. Web.
- “Strength for Caring: Continuing Care Communities”.