What Are “Levels of Care”?

The hospital says Dad needs ‘a higher level of care.’ Higher than what? Nobody ever explains the ladder.

‘Level of care’ describes how much help someone needs — and it determines everything: where they can live, who is qualified to serve them, and what it costs. The ladder runs roughly like this: independent living, with no daily help. Home care or assisted living, for help with daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medications. Memory care, for dementia-specific support in a secured setting. And skilled nursing, for round-the-clock medical needs. In Maryland, assisted living homes are actually licensed by level — one, two, or three — based on the care they are approved to deliver. Getting the level wrong hurts in both directions: too little help means falls, emergency rooms, and rapid decline. Too much means paying for care that isn’t needed — and independence surrendered too soon.

Once you understand the ladder, a discharge meeting stops sounding like a foreign language — and you can ask the right question: what level does she actually need, and who determined that?

This has been Care Without Crisis Explains, presented by Vanguard Care Solutions.

For more free videos and family resources — or when you’re ready to talk about care at home — visit vanguardcaresolutions.com or call 301-327-1444.