“I’m never going into a nursing home.” “I’m never putting my mom in a nursing home.” “Please don’t let them put me in a nursing home.” These are the things I often here from my clients or their family members. As someone starts to falter, they fear ending up in a nursing home or fear having to “put” their family member there. I always try to assure them that there is a large spectrum of options that ranges from “living alone at home” to “nursing home.” These options include:
- Hiring assistance at home with meals, errands and housework so you or your loved one stays nourished, has a safe environment and has human companionship.
- Hiring medical assistance at home to help with things like bathing and dressing for a few hours a day.
- Spending some time each day at an adult day center, which can be especially good for people with dementia (and those who love them and need respite care.)
- Hiring more full time medical care at home to help with a chronic illness.
- Moving in with a family member or having a family member move in with you.
- Having a live-in companion to provide medical assistance as well as housekeeping and meal preparation duties.
- Moving to an assisted living community.
- Hiring additional care givers in the assisted living community.
- Short term rehabilitation stays in a nursing facility.
- Skilled nursing care facility (nursing home.)
As you can see, there are many options for living and care for people as they age. There are also usually a few options for payment of these services, whether it is privately paid, paid through a long term care insurance policy or paid through a public program such as Medicaid. The important thing is to explore your options before you need them, so that you and your family know what is out there and what would suit you best.
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