There are many different care options available to help ensure your elderly loved ones receive the daily assistance they require. One of these senior care options is a nursing home. Taking the time to review the pros and cons associated with this option can help you to determine whether or not a nursing home is the right care option for the seniors in your life:
The Pros
There are several benefits that are associated with relocating your loved one to a nursing home. These benefits include:
- Constant Medical Care - Nursing homes are primarily staffed by medical professionals so that they can provide round the clock care for their residents. This type of care is designed to allow seniors with serious or chronic conditions to avoid lengthy hospital stays while still receiving the high level of care that they require.
- Permanent And Temporary Care Solutions - Since nursing homes cater to the needs of seriously ill or injured seniors, these homes provide both permanent and temporary care solutions. For instance, while a senior may be sent to a nursing home after undergoing a major surgery, they may be able to downgrade to a less restrictive setting once they have recovered from this surgery.
- Insurance Coverage - Since the care provided by nursing homes is primarily medical, many insurance plans will offer at least partial coverage for this type of senior care. Of course, coverage options will vary from policy to policy so be sure to contact your loved one's insurance carrier before simply assuming that this care will be covered.
The Cons
There are also a few disadvantages which you should be aware of before choosing a nursing home for your loved one. These disadvantages include:
- Restricted Visitation - In order to provide the high level of care that their residents need, nursing homes are forced to limit the access that visitors have. This typically means that you will need to visit during set hours, much like the visitation schedule that would exist if your loved one was in a hospital setting.
- Limited Privacy - Residents are often provided with a private room. However, residents will need to share many common spaces, such as the dining areas, with other residents.
The Bottom Line
Nursing homes are designed to help seniors who require round the clock care. Therefore, while this setting is ideally suited to an individual with serious medical needs, it may not be right for a senior who simply requires a bit of assistance with daily tasks. If you find that a nursing home does not match the needs of your loved one, you may wish to consider an assisted living community or in-home healthcare.
To learn more, contact a company like Health Concepts LTD with any questions you have,
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