Assisted Living Resources
by Ron King on 2007-09-22
Nursing Homes have a bad reputation. Over the past several decades there have been many problems. That's one of the reasons many elderly people dread being placed in a nursing home facility. But even if you find a very good one, your loved one is going to lose independence, privacy and personal freedom. It's important that you don't place someone into a nursing home before they need constant medical care. There is 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 achievable. Assisted living purpose exists to bridge the gap between independent living and nursing homes.
Level of Freedom
For those who are not able to live by themselves, but do not yet require constant care, assisted living centers are a great option. These facilities offer residents help with ADLs such as dressing, laundry, housekeeping, medication, bathing, and eating. A lot of these facilities can provide medical care as well, though this might not be as readily available to residents as it is in a nursing home.
Understanding the Differences
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 almost always 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 offered 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 number 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 from time to time confused or experiencing memory problems, assisted living may be the answer. If they have a debilitating disease or condition, they may need a nursing home.
The Well Being of Your Loved One
When deciding on either a nursing home or an assisted living facility, your major concern should be the welfare of your loved one. It may be necessary to factor in the reality of costs, but there are ways of obtaining financial aid and in the long run, you'll rest easier knowing your loved one is being well cared for. Just keep in mind that if you end up with a situation that is fraught with problems, the effort and stress you invest in resolving the situation may not be worth the dollars you thought you might save.
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 achievable. Assisted living purpose exists to bridge the gap between independent living and nursing homes.
Level of Freedom
For those who are not able to live by themselves, but do not yet require constant care, assisted living centers are a great option. These facilities offer residents help with ADLs such as dressing, laundry, housekeeping, medication, bathing, and eating. A lot of these facilities can provide medical care as well, though this might not be as readily available to residents as it is in a nursing home.
Understanding the Differences
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 almost always 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 offered 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 number 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 from time to time confused or experiencing memory problems, assisted living may be the answer. If they have a debilitating disease or condition, they may need a nursing home.
The Well Being of Your Loved One
When deciding on either a nursing home or an assisted living facility, your major concern should be the welfare of your loved one. It may be necessary to factor in the reality of costs, but there are ways of obtaining financial aid and in the long run, you'll rest easier knowing your loved one is being well cared for. Just keep in mind that if you end up with a situation that is fraught with problems, the effort and stress you invest in resolving the situation may not be worth the dollars you thought you might save.
About The Author: For more info, see Long Term Care and Long Term Care. Ron King is a web developer; visit his website Authoring Articles. Copyright 2007 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.