Nursing Homes for Long Term Care?

Most seniors will never need to go to a nursing home.” A Nursing Home, (aka skilled nursing facility or SNF) is for seniors who have a skilled medical need requiring round the clock medical supervision.

Your loved one may need to be in a skilled nursing facility if he or she requires regular physical or occupational therapy, is recovering from surgery, or has a wound that needs ongoing medical care. Nursing Homes are not for seniors who have the following care needs:

• Bed-ridden
• Incontinent, bowel and bladder
• Dementia/Alzheimer’s
• Medication Management
• Require special diets or special food preparation

The staff at most skilled nursing facilities includes a social services team and a rehabilitation team, in addition to nurses and care staff. Most skilled nursing facilities provide both short-term acute care and rehabilitation and long-term care.

Nursing Homes are not the only solution for seniors who have low incomes. If you have assets, nursing homes are one of the most expensive options. Nursing Homes do Not provide a “higher” level of care, they provide care for seniors with specific “skilled” needs. Nursing homes are no longer viable options for seniors that only need custodial care.

The option is assisted living. Licensed by the state, assisted living communities and residential care homes (aka board and cares) provide non-skilled workers at a higher ratio, to care for seniors at all stages of aging.

So – they will do full transfers, special diets, and feeding assistance, incontinence care, medication management, personal hygiene, cueing, and loving care for seniors with any type of dementia – in a secure environment.

This option is PRIVATE PAY ONLY, and in most cases ranges from $1,200 to $10,000 per month – depending on the level of care, location, and type of room.