When you reach a certain age, you start to ask yourself this question a lot, “How are mom and dad really doing?” The truth is, they often try to cover up their difficulties because they don’t want to worry you, and they don’t want to move into a nursing home. But a nursing home isn’t always the next step. In fact, many seniors don’t need a nursing home but instead a community where they can be provided for and looked after. In other words, they might just need an assisted living facility instead.
Because assisted living and nursing homes are often mistaken to be synonymous, it’s important to understand the differences between the two. And once you know which one best fits their needs, the conversation between you and your loved one can be easier.
Who Needs a Nursing Home?
The biggest thing you should be aware of regarding a nursing home is that this type of facility is for seniors who require around-the-clock monitoring and medical assistance. That means 24/7 your loved one would be looked after and helped due to their inability to take care of themselves or even act independently.
The patients in nursing homes suffer from severe, debilitating physical or mental conditions, which means they could be bedridden or wheelchair-bound, or just mentally unstable. This is why nursing homes require physician’s approval to be admitted.
Who is Best Suited for an Assisted Living Facility?
Assisted living facilities are, more than anything else, a community where seniors can be looked after and still thrive in their later years. Residents in Assisted Living may no longer be completely able to live in a house alone (especially due to all the responsibilities that come with a house) but they’re not entirely helpless either. While they may need some assistance in certain areas like laundry, housekeeping, medication management, and even bathing, they still want to maintain a social and active lifestyle. At Assisted Living, seniors can expect an apartment to themselves, restaurant-style dining, community events with other residents, transportation, and more.
How Do I Choose?
The best person to help you with this decision will be your loved one’s physician. They will easily be able to tell you whether or not a nursing home is necessary for their care. But the point is, don’t wait until they need a nursing home to take action on what’s best for them. Explore your assisted living options in your area to see if they will be happy living in a community and if they will be safer than at home, alone.
Find Your Options near Kenner
When moving your loved one into a new place, you will want them to be close to you. Luckily there are places in Kenner that are worth researching and interviewing. Check out this list of nursing homes, and if you are looking for Assisted Living, then look no further than The Windsor. At The Windsor Senior Living, we are a community and care deeply for all our residents. If you have any questions or would like to schedule a tour, feel free to call us at (985) 624-8040.