You may be visiting our website if you have an aging loved one with physical and cognitive deficits. While you may be able to care for your elderly loved one at home, you may not have the clinical skills nor financial resources to do so. Our blog posts reveal the physical and cognitive benefits of nursing home and assisted living placement. Your questions and concerns regarding physical, occupational, and speech therapies are addressed here, as well as your concerns about nutritional interventions and social activities offered in nursing homes. After reading our helpful posts, you'll feel more confident in making the right long-term care choice for your senior loved one.
Physical And Cognitive Benefits Of Long-Term Care Facilities
Confused About Assisted Living? Informative Points for a Clearer Understanding
Alice Cox
While you, like most adult children, want to ensure your aging parent's comfort and safety, distance and obligations to your own family and career can make this goal difficult to attain. Instead, you may find that seeking some type of professional care arrangement is likely to be a more feasible option for providing the day-to-day care and attention your parents need.
Those with no previous experience with available elder care options can quickly become confused about by the types of care available. In fact, many people don't really understand the difference between an assisted living options for elder care and traditional nursing homes. If you are feeling confused during your search for the best elder care options for your aging parents, this information will help you better understand the purpose of assisted living elder care options and whether they are right for your parents.
A brief understanding of traditional nursing homes
The most important difference between assisted living care and that provided in a traditional nursing home setting involves the actual medical care needs that will be required. Nursing homes have medical care professionals and are equipped with medical equipment to meet the basic health care needs of residents in a clinical environment. Patients who are bedridden, those who use wheelchairs or walkers, and those who are still ambulatory can reside in a nursing home and have their daily medical and personal care needs met. Serious illnesses or health issues beyond the scope of the nursing home environment are typically referred to area hospitals.
A brief understanding of assisted living facilities
An assisted living facility differs from a traditional nursing home in that patients are usually still ambulatory, but may require some level of assistance with daily tasks and personal care needs, such as bathing or dressing. Assisted living facilities are something of an entry-level option for elder care needs. Residents receive basic medical oversight from a staff nurse but generally see their own health care providers for specific health needs. If their health needs become more advanced, they can easily transition to a skilled care nursing facility.
Assisted living can provide an excellent option for seniors who can no longer manage to care for their own homes or live alone. Because they are still ambulatory, residents of assisted living facilities can still enjoy many of their former activities, hobbies, and outings. Residents also benefit from opportunities to form new friendships in a safe, group setting.
Deciding on the right elder care option for your parents will be easier if you can schedule visits to each facility you are considering. The assisted living facility administrator or a trusted staff member will be able to answer any questions and allow you and your parents to tour the facility before making a decision.
Be sure to contact assisted living facilities near you for more info.
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