An 82-year-old woman in the community who is physically weak and needs help with meals and self-care asks about long-term care options. What is the best response?

• A. She or her representative can apply through community care access center and be placed on a waiting list for a long-term care bed
• B. She should stay at home with no assistance
• C. Private caregiver options are the only way to access a bed
• D. There is no support available in the community

Answer: (B)

When someone is physically weak and needs daily help, the goal is to connect them with formal supports that can meet those needs and, if necessary, arrange appropriate placement. The best approach is to acknowledge her situation and point her to the right access point—the community care access center—which coordinates home care services and can arrange a needs assessment for long-term care placement. If long-term care is appropriate, she or her representative can be placed on a waiting list through that center. This pathway recognizes that supports are available in the community to help her stay at home or move to a care setting as needed. Private caregiver options exist, but they are not the only route to access care, and many systems rely on the community care access center to ensure appropriate services are provided. There is support in the community, and staying at home with no assistance would not meet her needs.