Getting extra help for an ageing loved one who is having difficulty at home can benefit both the senior and their family caregivers. Do nursing homes offer adl assistance?
Choosing to relocate to an assisted living or skilled nursing community can provide your loved one with the assistance and support they require, potentially increasing their independence. You’ll be relieved of the stress of caregiving, and your loved one will have access to new friends and a variety of activities tailored to their specific needs. A nursing home that specializes in dementia care, for example, may provide dementia-friendly activities such as music therapy and reminiscence sessions designed to improve cognition.
Assisted living is an excellent option for seniors who require additional support or assistance with daily tasks. A skilled nursing or healthcare community, formerly known as a nursing home, provides more comprehensive care to seniors with complex medical needs. Here’s everything you should know about these two senior living options.
What Exactly Is Assisted Living?
Assisted living communities provide non-clinical community living. They can also provide some medical support, assist with diet and nutrition issues, and help with incontinence. A licensed nurse completes a comprehensive individualized assessment for each resident in most assisted living communities, and caregiving staff is on-site or accessible 24 hours a day.
Clients are frequently seen on-site by geriatricians and other healthcare professionals such as dentists and chiropractors. Physical and occupational therapy, as well as wellness rooms supervised by licensed nurses, are now available in some assisted living communities.
Furthermore, some assisted living communities to provide specialized memory care units for those suffering from cognitive decline. A memory care solution is ideal for someone with Alzheimer’s disease or another type of dementia because staff members are trained in best practices of care and family members can receive additional support and education.
It’s critical to inquire about the types of care available in the community, especially if your loved one has a chronic or progressive medical condition. Some assisted living communities offer varying levels of care and support based on the needs of each resident, and many provide a continuum of care by contracting with skilled nursing companies or providing an on-site nursing home for residents whose support needs change.
Assisted living communities, like skilled nursing or healthcare communities, provide personal care, light housekeeping, and laundry. They also have on-site restaurants that serve three meals a day, as well as special meals for people with medical conditions like diabetes. Furthermore, both types of residential alternatives include safety features such as emergency pull cords.
Determining Whether or Not It Is Time for Assisted Living
An assisted living community is a good option for a senior who requires additional assistance with their daily activities (ADLs). Dressing, showering, grooming, and toileting are examples of these activities. Assisted living communities also offer socialization opportunities through events, programs, and excursions that allow residents to connect with neighbours and explore the surrounding community.
If you or a loved one is experiencing any of the following symptoms, it may be time to consider assisted living.
- Decreased weight in the last six months.
- Chronic pain or a complicated medication condition.
- Medication management is difficult.
- Feels isolated, lonely, depressed, or anxious.
- Difficulties with nutritional requirements, such as grocery shopping, meal preparation, or healthy eating.
- Needs assistance with daily personal care or household maintenance.
Who Can Take Advantage of Assisted Living?
An assisted living community is an excellent choice for someone who has health issues or requires assistance with tasks such as bathing and dressing. Apart from a few daily tasks, many seniors who choose assisted living remain independent. Some assisted living residents, in fact, drive their own cars, prepare some of their own meals, and come and go on their own schedules.
Residents of assisted living communities benefit from increased independence and peace of mind as a result of personalized care plans. Residents have different needs and preferences, which makes communities diverse and vibrant.
The Price of Assisted Living Communities
The cost of assisted living communities varies according to location, amenities, and services. Communities typically charge a monthly fee that covers nearly all services, such as meal plans, activities, transportation, and a spacious apartment.
Assisted living communities are generally more expensive than independent senior apartments, but far less expensive than nursing homes.
What Exactly Is A Nursing Home?
A nursing home, also known as a skilled nursing facility, provides the highest level of care available outside of a hospital. Following a hospital stay, surgery, or procedure, many seniors are transferred to a nursing home. Nursing homes provide 24-hour care to seniors with complex medical conditions who require hands-on care and monitoring.
Residents are given skilled care and may be confined to bed, completely incontinent, or require tube feeding. Many residents are there for a short period of time to recover from a hospital stay or procedure. In other cases, residents are there on a long-term basis to receive comprehensive healthcare interventions 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
A licensed physician oversees each patient’s care, a nurse is always on-site, and other medical professionals such as occupational, physical, and speech therapists are also present. Many nursing homes have hospital-quality medical equipment, such as X-ray machines and electric beds. Furthermore, these facilities frequently provide short-term rehabilitation services for adults of any age, after which they can return home.
Determining the Need for a Nursing Home
A senior’s decision to move from home or an assisted living community to a nursing home is a personal one, but it may occur if he or she requires ongoing medical care. A skilled nursing facility is intended to meet specific medical needs, such as simple pain management, more complex rehabilitation, or something in between. Residents in skilled nursing facilities frequently require assistance with tasks other than ADLs. To get senior living facilities near me contact Alexi Senior Living.
Who Can Take Advantage of a Nursing Home?
A nursing home may be the best option for someone who requires full-time care and access to services more akin to a hospital than home due to medical needs. Some families choose to move a senior loved one to a nursing home after a serious infection or when the senior is in and out of the hospital on a regular basis.
Because skilled nursing facilities provide comprehensive care, they can provide more stability to seniors who would otherwise be hospitalized for extended periods of time. Some nursing homes also offer hospice services, which provide palliative care to seniors nearing the end of their senior living journey. However, if a senior’s needs are more basic, such as assistance with ADLs such as bathing, dressing, or toileting, or if a senior requires simple care such as physical therapy and medication management, a nursing home may be too restrictive and unnecessary.
What Is the Difference Between Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities?
In the end, assisted living communities are designed to be more like homes, whereas skilled nursing facilities are designed to be more clinical. Both of these senior living options are required along the senior living continuum, and you or your loved one may require a short-term stay in a nursing home to recover from hospitalization before returning to assisted living.
Costs of Assisted Living vs. Skilled Nursing
One of the most significant differences between nursing homes and assisted living communities is cost. According to a survey, the median cost of a private room in a nursing home in the United States in 2021 will be around $9,000 per month — more than twice the median cost of an assisted living facility apartment, which will be $4,500 per month.
Selecting the Best Care for Your Loved One
The care decisions you make will have long-term consequences for your loved one. The right decision can potentially improve the quality of life of an entire family by reducing bickering and restoring a sense of balance. When you find a welcoming and comfortable community, act quickly because many communities have long waiting lists.
Your loved one deserves to feel supported and at ease in retirement, regardless of how their health changes over time. So go slowly and make a decision that feels right for everyone. You can learn more about What does adl assistance mean after reading our other post. Alexi Senior Living is the best to provide the best activities for daily living. You can contact them at 815-534-5389.
