Assisted Living - Who Needs It?

Many elderly people dread going to nursing homes because of the bad reputation that nursing homes have in our society. Nursing homes have had some problems over the past several decades, but there are still good, reputable homes. Even so, being placed in a home will force your loved one to give up their personal freedom, privacy, and independence. If your loved one does not yet need constant medical care, there isn't a necessity to place them in a nursing home. Try considering another option.

The alternative to a nursing home is an Assisted Living Facilities, popularly known as ALF. These facilities are for people needing assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs), but who wish to live as independently as possible for as long as possible. Assisted living purpose exists to bridge the gap between independent living and nursing homes.

Determining the Level of Independence

Assisted living centers are great for those who are not able to live alone, yet don't quite require constant care. Many assisted living facilities have centers for medical care, though this care may or may not be as involved or readily available as it is to those who are in nursing homes. Assisted living facilities provide some freedom while still assisting with ADLs such as bathing, laundry, eating, dressing, housekeeping, and medication assistance.

The Variables

The decision on whether to send your loved one to an assisted living facility or a nursing home rests on many factors, such as the following.

* Cost: Assisted living is rather costly because individuals live in apartment-like settings. Nursing homes are cheaper because the elderly live in a more communal space, with little private space.

* Medicare is frequently available for someone in a nursing home. It may not be for someone living in Assisted Living Facility.

* Facilities: Assisted living facilities are focused on individuals. Nursing homes are focused on the collective group.

* Place: While assisted living facility is a location for one or few particular aged at a time, a nursing home houses many patients. The former house an individual who is provided with all the help and assistance he or she needs, while the nursing home provides far less individual care.

* Nursing homes are supposed to care for people who have a lot of health care requirements, and cannot care for themselves. Assisted living facilities are supposed to assist elderly persons who can basically care for most of their personal needs themselves.

* In an assisted living facility, skilled nursing care is not usually available except on an as-needed basis. A nursing home is more like a hospital environment and provides full-scale, skilled nursing care.

* Assisted living facilities are supposed to assist people in preparing meals, bathing, dressing or performing household chores. If your loved one is now and then confused or experiencing memory problems, assisted living can be the answer. If they have a debilitating disease or condition, they may need a nursing home.

The Well Being of Your Loved One

There are many factors to consider when deciding whether to use a nursing home or an assisted living facility, such as cost. However, your main concern should be the well being of your loved one. Besides, there are different ways of obtaining the necessary funds, such as financial aid. If you end up putting your loved one in a situation where they are suffering, all of the effort you might end up investing to resolve the situation will most likely heavily outweigh the money you might have saved.

Article Source: http://www.klienwachter.com

For more info, see www.help4longtermcare.com and www.squidoo.com/longtermcare Ron King is a web developer; visit his website www.ronxking.com

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

# of Ratings = 1 | Rating = 5/5