Dr. Narayan Nayak, California:
A newly retired person is full of energies in the initial phase with “Self Rated Health ( SRH)” scale at it highest. SRH is a term used in Public Health Epidemiological studies based on one’s own rating based on physical, psychological and social well being of the individual. Physical Activities are the key to maintaining health and mobility and they are at the peak during this phase.
This phase of undetermined length of time with high SRH may be followed by physical issues/social issues/psycho-social support issues to mention a few, associated with lowering SRH ( I’ve avoided mentioning unpalatable medical terms of underlying medical/surgical issues). Person may need physical supports to maintain physical activities and mobility and increased reliance on supervision by depending on the family support, social support and moral support associated with living arrangements etc. Person may rally with good SRH even in this stage of undetermined length of time. As person ages and is faced with losses in social support of familiar group and or due to fragility and challenged vision, mobility etc one becomes more dependent on assistance from extended support groups.
Above picture is merely an illustration to bring up the point that persons do lose mobility and the physical activities are curtailed especially when the SRH goes down. When physical inability of the individual are curtailed and ability to cope with activities of daily life( personal hygiene, grooming, bathing, feeding etc ) are challenged, one unquestionably is in need of assistance in life-activities.
Of course one always thinks of “nursing homes” and when their financial involvements could be not so acceptable. Especially, when one goes into details of care involved and the standard of care offered. Konkanis always have relied upon nanny-care in such cases at home and that certainly is a do-able based on individual cases where medical issues are not overwhelming. One has to be open-minded as to what alternatives are available even in “nann-care” when the care taker is sick or is not available; alternatives have to be available all the time.
What are assisted living facilities such as Continuing Care Retirement Communities(CCRC)? Typically, a post-retiree enters this community at an age when one thinks he may not be able remain totally independent for many more years. If one is unable to drive and when mobility and physical activities have been less than in initial days of retirement. One may be tired of maintaining a home and living in an independent home with all the responsibilities. The CCRC offers housing for seniors after lump-sum payment at the outset. ( part of it may be available at demise or if you leave prematurely) They would provide for cleaning services and maintenance, meals,recreational physical activities, group tours to places to visit/movies/entertainments etc. Shopping, hospital visits are also offered. Tasks that they perform simulate what you would have done if one were living independently.
In short, once you’re at a CCRC, your future care is entirely taken care of at the CCRC with their affiliated and or attached medical/nursing facilities or 24/7 care facilities. Post operative recovery phase and the like are taken care of within their structure with specialty nursing etc. This is to be confirmed before one joins a CCRC and they are required to let you know their extent of care offered before you sign up.
It is worthwhile looking up one website regarding CCRCs and likes:
https://www.retirementliving. com/continuing-care- retirement-communities
You don’t need to pay them membership to look at the website. Please, I’m not endorsing membership payment! Contents are well worth a good study.
Of all the sub-headings, do look-up www.leadingage.org This is an interesting site for primer on CCRC
http://www.leadingage.org/ 2016_Home_and_Community_Based_Services_Issue_Brief.aspx
Topics discussed:
1.2016 Home and Community Based Services Issue Brief by Peter Notarstefano, Published On: Feb 04, 2016 Updated On: May 10, 2016
2.Almost there! House Passes Older Americans Act Reauthorization by Peter Notarstefano Published On: Mar 22, 2016
3.What We Don’t Know About Direct Care Workers Could Hurt Us by Robyn I. Stone Published On: Sep 22, 2016
