When you think about senior care, the first thing that comes to most people’s minds is the nursing home. The nursing home provides a very important service, but it is often over utilized. A lot of people that go into a nursing home don’t need that high of a level of care. A lack of awareness of what available care can lead to less helpful care for a loved one.
Although they are often thought of as the first line of defense when it comes to helping an older individual, nursing homes are not designed to help all elderly folk who need extra help. Like the name implies, they are designed to help seniors who need nursing attention or ongoing medical assistance. They’re not designed to help meet the needs that come about with daily living–although they can do this. The activities of daily living–toileting, eating, bathing, and more–are non-medical needs. The attention that a nursing home gives is far more comprehensive than what most seniors who need help actually require.
There are alternatives out there to the nursing home. This might be the type of care that is given the most media attention, it’s not the only kind that exists. For example, assisted living may seem very similar to a nursing home, it provides a very different type of service. Both are residential in nature, but a nursing home provides medical care while an assisted living facility does not. Both provide around the clock assistance, but the nature is different. Financially speaking, both are distinct, too. Because a nursing home involves a higher level of expertise amongst those that are employed there, nursing homes tend to cost much more than a stay in an assisted living facility would.
In-home care, respite care, community living, and hospice care are all types of senior care that may be of benefit to you. Knowing what these things are and how they differ will help you and your family to make a better, more informed decision regarding care.
We can help. There are a lot of different options when it comes to senior care. And while the nursing home is definitely a viable option for many, it’s not something for everyone. If you’re unsure of what is best for your family, the first thing that should be done is a conversation with your loved one’s doctor. They will be able to give you guidance and direction regarding what your loved one’s specific needs are, and what the best way to address them is. They may recommend a nursing home, but they might not. With this information, we can help you go over your options and find the best care solution for your loved one and the rest of your family.
So, give us a call today to get started. This is a free service and there will never be any obligation on your part to go with our service. Our goal is to help get you pointed in the right direction. If we are the right service for you, wonderful. And if we’re not, then we can help you find it.
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