Contrasting Nursing Homes and Assisted living

blogpic2

At Seniors Helping Seniors, our priority is for our clients and their families to be informed and comfortable about whatever decision they end up making in regards to elderly care. It is often the case that our clients have a difficult choice as to the extent of care that they need. It is not an easy decision after all, as there are so many feelings and factors to consider. One of the most significant decisions you can make about yourself or a loved one is if it is the right time for a fully-fledged nursing home. This article aims to inform its readers on some potential concerns that many people experience upon moving to a nursing home, and contrasting that with Seniors Helping Seniors and our senior living services.

blogcta1

Before we move into some of these common issues, it’s important to note that in no way is this a complete dismissal of nursing homes and the valuable senior care services many facilities provide across the nation. We simply want to inform our clientele of some of the pitfalls many people encounter. Among the most notable is nighttime disturbances. One study by Bettye Rose Connell, a professor of medicine at Emory has broken these noises down into three categories: people talking, mechanical noises, and generally people doing things. Issues range from TVs blaring long into the night, loud conversations between workers, and people doing things, such as pushing carts. The research project went on to note that "The nursing home population has a great deal of sleep disturbance," said Bettye Rose Connell, a health research scientist at the Atlanta V.A. Medical Center and an assistant professor of medicine at Emory. ".... Not all awakenings are related to noise. But sleep disruption related to noise is enough of a problem that we want to find ways to relieve it." Obviously some community noise is going to be part-and-parcel with living in a nursing home, but that doesn’t mean it’s an easy adjustment for your loved one, which is why independent living and care at home may be a more gradual and gracious route.

The Food

You’ve probably heard of this one before. There is a massive opportunity for improvements in the quality, number of options, and general presentation when it comes to most nursing home cafeterias. Not only is this disappointing and disheartening for residents, but it can also deter residents from getting a well-balanced diet, because they hate the food so much. This can lead to health problems that we have seen first-hand at Seniors Helping Seniors. If certain residents are left to their own devices, the harsh truth is that they aren’t able to nutritionally support themselves.

The Cost

Around half of all nursing home residents in the U.S. pay out of pocket for nursing home costs. Nursing homes can be pricey, as it’s not uncommon for residents to pay $4,500 per month. It is typical to see residents drain their personal resources before becoming eligible for Medicaid, a State and Federal program. The program works well for some, but can still come at the cost of losing one’s life savings in the process of paying for residential elderly care.

The Staff

All people, residents or not, deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Neglect and abuse are more common occurrences at community living facilities than any of us would care to admit. The fact of the matter is it is not realistic to think you will be able to personally meet and vet all staff members at a nursing home. You should know and trust the person who is caring for your loved one. Not only for them, but for your own peace of mind as well. At Seniors Helping Seniors serving Northern Colorado, we carefully select our staff, and ensure our employees are fully trained to uphold our standards and expectations. Part of that excellence is that we offer meal preparation, among many other senior assisted living services which include:

  • Home Healthcare
  • Hourly & 24/7 Care
  • Personal Care & Dressing
  • Alzheimer’s & Dementia Care
  • Companionship
  • Transportation
  • Respite Care
  • Meal Preparation
  • Light Housekeeping
  • Yard Work
  • Medication Reminders
  • House Maintenance & Small Repairs
  • Transitional Care
  • End-of Life Care
  • Long-Distance Check-Ins
  • Pet Care
  • Chaplain Care (Greeley Office)

Educate Yourself

For some, a nursing home is the right step because of the extent of the care required. But we encourage you to educate yourself on all options for your dear one. We encourage you to consider Seniors Helping Seniors in your discovery period. If you are looking for an assisted living solution that emphasizes the needs and wants of our clients by creating a safe in-home environment, we believe Seniors Helping Seniors could be right for you. We proudly serve Northern Colorado, with our service areas including Fort Collins, Loveland, Greeley, Longmont, Johnston, Berthoud, Ault, Firestone, Wellington, Windsor, Frederick, Firestone, Laporte, and surrounding areas. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us so we can schedule your free consultation.