Assisted Living Versus Nursing Home Care

By John Davies

Many people use the phrases "nursing home" and "assisted living" to mean the same thing. However, this is not true, since each term is different. People cannot be accepted into both types of facilities.

Some people do not need constant care, and they are alright with home-care services, but others who need constant help may find it more opportune to consider either a nursing home or an assisted living home. Most of the time, elderly people would choose to stay home, though.

With assisted living, seniors are able to maintain a great deal of their daily life with their own separate place to live, but they are offered the constant care services of the facility. Since the healthcare services are there all the time, it will be able to help the patient if their health rapidly descends. These facilities offer patients healthcare, transport options, help with cleaning and cooking while allowing the patient the ability to live in their very own apartment style space. When the patient needs even more help, there will be people available at all times.

A survey from 2007 created by the insurance company, MetLife stated that most assisted living facilities charge around three thousand dollars a month. While some states of residence will cover the care in Medicaid policies, it is often up to the patient to pay the costs from their own pocket.

In a nursing home, the situation is different, and the care is provided for individuals who have become so ill that they need twenty-four hour medical service. People cannot afford to have this medical care in their home since hiring constant care would be almost impossible. The costs of a nursing home facility can vary greatly, from anywhere between fifty and two hundred thousand annually.

This may seem like a high price, but hiring a constant home health care service alone would be almost the same. The nursing home offers on top of the twenty-four hour care, a place to live, electricity, water, food, and other expenses. While the patient will have to pay for as long as they can, when they run out of funds, Medicaid will pick up the cost.

Often, family members try to move assets in order to save money before putting the patient into a facility. Currently, laws require a study of the past five years. This will help to stop his problem.

It is important to take a long look at either type of facility before choosing it in order to make sure that the family member gets the care they need. It is a good idea to speak with other patients and families to get a real idea of the facility. Look for clues about a bad facility by considering even the smell of the place.

Another important factor is how many staff members are employed. Instead of looking at numbers, which can be altered, ask someone there to find out how many nurses are employed each shift. It should equal to every fifteen residents have one nurse.

Consider all the specifics. Make sure the place is properly cleaned. Make sure the equipment is up to date. Make sure that the furnishings are clean or new. Small things can be clues to the big things.
The best way to know about the care your elderly family members are getting is to be aware and be proactive in their lives. - 29955

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