The Do's and Don't's of Choosing a Nursing Home for a Loved One

Placing a loved one in a nursing home is a heart wrenching decision. I think the decision ranks up with choosing a daycare center for a child. The decision can be such an emotional decision, which makes it very hard. You may feel like your giving up on your loved one, which is far from true. The decision requires a period of adjust for both you and your loved one. The purpose of this article is to help you make an informed decision about placing a loved one in a nursing home. I am writing it from the view point of someone who worked in a nursing home for years. Be sure to write down some questions prior to visiting the nursing home. If you feel like all your questions are not answered on the first visit, return to the nursing home.

The first thing to consider is what insurances are accepted. This is an important consideration because most nursing homes cost $3000-$5000 dollars a month. Most people can not afford the cost of a nursing home, let alone the medical supplies needed for nursing care. There are the costs for depends, chux (plastic bed liners), medications and personal hygiene products. You may be able to purchase the items at a local discount store. Applying for Medicaid is also a consideration but, some assets may disqualify the person from receiving Medicaid. Another thing to consider is if they accept Medicare for therapy services.

The second thing to consider is the location of the nursing home. The location can affect the loved one in many ways. I have found from experience that loved ones whose family and friends visit regularly quality of life is improved. The location of the nursing home should be close to your home or work to make visits convenient. Being close to the nursing home makes unexpected visits more convenient for both you and your loved one. Lastly you should check to see if the nursing home is in a safe area.