How To Determine If Assisted Living Is Suitable For Your Loved One
As people reach their senior years of life, it is often difficult for them to live alone and maintain care for themselves and their homes. If family and friends are unable to provide assistance, it may be best to find a more suitable living arrangement for them. Two housing options that are available for elderly people are nursing homes and assisted living facilities. While nursing homes are designed for those who have more severe health problems and cannot care for themselves, assisted living facilities are ideal for seniors who can be independent to some extent. These are some factors that help determine if assisted living is suitable for your loved one.
Mental and Emotional Stability of the Patient
Assisted living facilities usually allow the resident to live in an apartment-style home alone. There is staff that usually helps with certain things such as housekeeping, personal hygiene, trips to physician's offices and grocery stores, and taking daily medications.
However, those who have late stage Alzheimer's disease or dementia, may benefit more by residing in a nursing home.An assisted living facility is not usually equipped to manage the health issues that go along with these conditions. A nursing home is staffed by physicians and nurses who are better trained to care for those who are mentally or emotionally unstable from time to time.
Ongoing Medical Care of the Patient
If your loved one requires ongoing care, such as a feeding tube, oxygen, or daily injections, he may be better provided for by a nursing home. Assisted living workers may help with making sure the patient takes his daily medications, but they may not be trained to provide more advanced care.
Rehabilitation Needs
If physical therapy or other types of rehabilitation are needed, this too is offered at most nursing homes. If the patient has had surgery or needs rehabilitation for any reason, it may be best for him to reside in a nursing home until the rehabilitation is completed. Once the patient has recovered, he may have the option to then move into an assisted living facility.
Mobility of the Patient
Assisted living facilities are often designed to meet the needs of those residents who are able to move around throughout their homes.Therefore, a patient who is bedridden or wheelchair bound may be a better candidate for a nursing home.
Financial Stability of the Patient
Residing in a nursing home is normally covered by health insurance. However, living in an assisted living facility is often not deemed as medically necessary and many insurance companies deny coverage for this service.
If your family member or friend is going to pay for assisted living out of pocket, he will need to have steady, reliable income each month as the cost of assisted living is often more expensive than the cost of nursing homes.
Once you have weighed the pros and cons of both assisted living and nursing homes like Crimson Ridge Meadows, it will be easier to decide which care provider will best meet his needs.
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