Many seniors live with their families, but what happens when your family has trouble caring for you? If you’ve accumulated assets, you may also need long-term care. That’s where nursing homes come in.
Nursing homes provide care for patients who have become unable to live. These patients are elderly and suffer from conditions that make them incapable of caring for themselves. Nursing homes provide a range of services to their patients. These include help with bathing, dressing, eating, and taking medication.
If you’re approaching retirement age, you may soon find yourself in or approaching a nursing home in Indianapolis. Before entering a nursing home, it’s important that you understand how long you can stay and what your options are for paying for care. Here’s a quick guide to what you should know before you explore this option.
Types of Nursing Homes
Nursing homes provide long-term care to elderly and disabled people. They are funded but operated. Every state has at least one nursing home facility. But there are also many free-standing facilities. Most nursing homes offer a mix of long-term and short-term care, and they care for people of all ages.
Here are the four main types of nursing homes.
1. Independent Living Community
Independent living communities are an option for those who are unable to live but do not have enough to need the help of a nursing home. These communities offer a step down from independent living. They also offer a more structured environment. It is important to note that these communities are not nursing homes and their residents do not receive the same level of care.
Independent living communities are nursing homes that don’t require that you have a medical condition. You can live independently if you like, but you don’t have to use the services that are available. Independent living communities often have rules, such as no smoking or no pets, that help keep the community safe.
2. Assisted Living Facility
Many people assume that an assisted living facility is like a nursing home, but it is not. The primary difference between the two is that assisted living facilities are generally about half the cost of a nursing home and provide a greater degree of daily care. Assisted living facilities generally provide three levels of care, which are optional and can be changed at any time:
(1) Basic help with your daily tasks
(2) Help with your activities of daily living
(3) Nursing help if needed.
The assisted living facility is a step up from independent living communities on care provided. In other words, they assist with a greater degree of your daily tasks. It is important to note that assisted living facilities have more rules and regulations. You will likely be required to pay a deposit and a monthly fee. The amount of your monthly rental fee is based on the size of the space you will be occupying.
3.Skilled Nursing Facility
If you feel you need more help for your medical and daily needs, a skilled nursing facility is your best option. Often called “nursing homes,” these facilities provide 24-hour health care from licensed nurses, medical doctors and other medical professionals, as well as physical and occupational therapists.
Medical care is usually offered in the form of medications, treatment and testing, as well as a diet program and other therapies. Some facilities offer rehabilitation programs designed to help patients learn to take care of their personal needs, as well as regain their physical strength.
Some facilities offer a “memory care” program that focuses on behavioral and mental health, as well as a “skilled care” program for people who need it.
While many people have the misconception that these facilities are akin to incarceration or an old folks’ home, they’re not. Most skilled nursing facilities are licensed and regulated by the state and are staffed by RNs, LPNs, and CNAs who are available 24 hours a day. Many have private rooms and have some activities and amenities on-site to help residents stay active, social, and engaged. And if your loved one needs more intensive care, they might qualify for Medicare coverage of some of their rehabilitation needs.
4. Continuous Care Retirement Community
If you’re in need of assisted living services, but don’t want to lose the flexibility of independent living, a Continuum of Care facility could be a good option for you. A Continuum of Care is an assisted living facility that allows residents to move between levels of care as needed, without having to move from the CCRC.
What to Consider When Choosing a Nursing Home
When someone you love requires care in a skilled nursing facility, you want only the best for them. Nursing homes are expensive, and many Medicare or Medicaid patients can’t afford the costs to live at a private facility. As a result, many people turn to long-term care insurance to help cover the costs of nursing home care.
But, how do you choose the right nursing home?
1. Consider What you Want
It is important to determine the type of care you may need before you move. For instance, if you need assistance with bathing and eating, or if you need a special diet, you will need to find a facility that can provide this type of care. If you are not able to get around well, you will need to find a facility that provides physical therapy or special care units.
2. Cost
Understanding the weekly cost of nursing care, including any funding support your relative is entitled to, is crucial. Everybody who requires nursing care is entitled to Funded Nursing Care (FNC). This is intended to help those who can’t afford to pay for their own nursing care. The good news is that nursing homes in Indianapolis offer nursing home services that are affordable.
3. Care Specialism
It is normal for nursing homes to only be able to support people with dementia. This is common if their nursing needs outweigh their dementia needs. If your relative has nursing needs it is important to establish whether the home is set up to support them.
In some homes, they are able to mix people with dementia with people who have nursing needs but not dementia. But, it is important to establish that the home can support your relatives with their dementia needs.
Conclusion
Nursing home care is expensive. Most seniors find that they can’t afford to stay in a nursing home, so they give up and find private in-home care or move in with family. But nursing homes offer security and peace of mind. They are generally safe, well-staffed, and clean. If your loved one needs nursing home care, then it’s important to first research the facilities in your area.