Caring for a loved one with increasing health needs as they age can be an immense challenge.
As individual circumstances become more complex, finding a senior living community that can provide the right level of personalized support is crucial.
The Kensington Reston is dedicated to delivering high acuity care services tailored to each resident’s unique situation.
Our promise is to love and care for your family as we do our own.
What does high acuity mean?
High acuity care refers to the elevated level of medical and personal care services needed by seniors with more complex health conditions.
Some individuals may develop chronic illnesses, cognitive impairments, mobility challenges, or require intensive rehabilitative care after an injury or hospital stay as they age.
High acuity care communities are designed to provide this enhanced level of support.
What is high acuity in senior living?
At a high acuity care community like The Kensington Reston, residents receive around-the-clock skilled nursing care tailored to their unique needs.
Acuity care includes:
- Comprehensive assistance with activities of daily living
- Medication management
- Specialized therapies
- Monitoring of chronic conditions like diabetes, Parkinson’s, or cardiac issues
High acuity care allows seniors with greater care needs to maintain their dignity and quality of life in a nurturing environment.
Our compassionate team of healthcare professionals undergoes extensive training to care for higher acuity residents.
Registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, and certified nursing assistants work together to develop customized care plans and provide the hands-on care each resident requires.
From wound care to oxygen administration, the team has the clinical expertise to support complex medical needs. This level of care provides peace of mind for residents and their families.
Signs your loved one may need high acuity care: Evaluating the activities of daily living (ADLs)
Assessing a senior’s ability to perform Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) is crucial when determining the appropriate level of care and living situation.
ADLs refer to basic self-care tasks that are fundamental for independent living, such as:
- Bathing
- Dressing
- Grooming
- Eating
- Getting in and out of bed or chairs
- Managing incontinence
A comprehensive ADL evaluation looks at each of these areas to identify where assistance is needed and to what degree.
This could range from total dependence requiring full support to partial needs where simply providing reminders, or minimal help enables independence.
Assessments also look at Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) such as:
- Housekeeping
- Preparing meals
- Taking medications
- Using transportation
- Managing finances
Next steps in determining senior acuity levels
The inability to accomplish these supporting tasks can significantly impact one’s safety and wellness at home and may indicate a need to transition to a high acuity care community.
The results of an ADL evaluation help create an individualized care plan that addresses deficiencies while promoting self-reliance in areas of remaining capability.
Regular reassessments are important, as care needs tend to increase over time due to age-related decline or health changes.
An objective understanding of current ADL functions is essential for providing dignity-focused care tailored to each individual.
How high acuity care accommodates varying senior health needs
As people age, their healthcare requirements can become increasingly complex and diverse.
In a high acuity care setting, a one-size-fits-all approach is inadequate.
Customized care plans are essential to properly accommodate each individual’s unique health challenges.
For residents requiring more intensive skilled nursing and rehabilitative services, high acuity care provides around-the-clock clinical support.
High acuity support could include:
- Wound care
- IV therapy
- Oxygen administration
- Diabetic management
- Post-surgical recovery
- Mental health support
- Other specialized medical services according to the resident’s specific condition
Dedicated memory care may also be offered for those with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and cognitive impairments.
Retaining independence in high acuity care
At the same time, a person-centered care philosophy in high acuity settings aims to maximize independence as much as possible.
Only the required level of personal assistance is provided, empowering residents to handle tasks they can still safely manage alone.
Adaptive equipment and living spaces foster this self-reliance and dignity.
Whether it’s frequent chronic disease monitoring, medication management, assistance with mobility or activities of daily living, or supportive therapies—high acuity care services evolve as an individual’s needs change over time.
This progressive approach ensures care plans remain aligned with the current stage of their healthcare journey.
The ability to accommodate a wide range of health needs under one roof allows high acuity care communities to serve as a supportive environment for aging in place as conditions advance.
‘Aging in place’ in assisted living
For many seniors, the idea of “aging in place”—remaining in their own home or a familiar environment for as long as possible as they grow older—is extremely important for maintaining their independence, comfort, and quality of life.
However, individual health needs evolve, sometimes requiring more comprehensive personal and medical support.
High acuity support allows residents to age in place
At The Kensington Reston, our innovative approach to assisted living accommodates aging in-place through specialized services with high staffing ratios, 24/7 on-site nursing, and PAC training from Teepa Snow.
Unlike other communities with rigid levels of care, our tiered services allow residents to get the right amount of support as their circumstances change, without having to move to a different community.
For those just beginning to require some daily assistance, we provide attentive personal care services that empower independence while alleviating the efforts of family caregivers.
As needs increase, we seamlessly adapt our approach by bringing in additional nursing oversight, therapy services, memory care resources, or anything required for the resident’s overall well-being.
High acuity care at The Kensington Reston: Personalized care tailored to your loved one’s condition
Deciding to transition a loved one to a senior living community can be difficult.
You want to find a place that meets their current needs and can adapt and evolve as those needs change over time.
At The Kensington Reston, we understand that each resident’s journey is unique, so we take a personalized approach to care.
We conduct in-depth evaluations to comprehensively understand your loved one’s physical, cognitive, and emotional requirements.
This method allows us to develop a personalized care plan that addresses their specific circumstances and accommodates any complexities in their health situation.
We love and care for your family we do our own
Our professional team, including nurses, therapists, and specially-trained caregivers, then implements this customized plan—providing only the level of personal care and assistance required.
As the resident’s situation evolves, so does our approach. Through regular reassessments, we make certain your loved one’s care plan remains finely tuned and appropriately adjusted.
You can have peace of mind knowing your family member is receiving care uniquely tailored to their individual needs and preferences within our nurturing environment.
Get personalized high acuity care for your senior loved one
If you have a loved one in need of more comprehensive personal or medical care, The Kensington Reston can provide the attentive support they require.
What truly sets The Kensington Reston apart is our commitment to promoting independence, dignity, and quality of life at every level.
Contact The Kensington Reston today and book a personalized tour of our community.