How Do I Choose the Right Nursing Home Facility

By Ben Glass, Esquire

Benjamin W. Glass and Associates

. https://www.benglasslaw.com/

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How Do I Choose the Right Nursing Home Facility

Deciding between a nursing home, an assisted living facility, or a retirement community, can be emotionally draining. You want the absolute best care for your loved one. These days, there are several living options for seniors on a wide range of family budgets. Educate yourself about the different types of long-term care in Virginia so that you can know which is the best option for your unique

situation.

Nursing Homes

Nursing homes provide long-term care for chronically ill patients. In Virginia, the term “nursing home” is often used interchangeably with “long-term care facility.” This type of care includes everything from help with daily living needs (food, medicine, hygiene) to more advanced physical therapy, such as rehabilitation after a heart attack or fall. Nursing home care is also common for patients with Alzheimer's or other special needs. Nursing homes are perfect for people who need skilled care on a constant basis, like patients with dementia or other taxing mental or physical conditions.

Assisted Living Facilities

Assisted living is like a personal aide, not a 24-hour nurse. Your loved one will not have a nurse in his or her room around the clock (not even a nursing home can fully offer that), but staff will be there to remind them about daily tasks like taking medication. Seniors in assisted living facilities might liken it to a hotel certain things are taken care of for them – like housekeeping, meal times, medication schedules, and activities – but they still have the freedom to live their lives as they would if they were living on their own. Take these facilities on a case-by-case basis when analyzing your situation; some can provide more hands-on help and skilled care than others, so pay attention to your family's particular needs to make sure they are covered.

Retirement Communities

These can also be called retirement centers or retirement villages. Here, seniors are free to manage their own homes and live their lives as they see fit. This is an ideal situation for folks who can generally take care of themselves on a day-to-day basis. This type of care is centered around personal freedom and the opportunity to live in a senior-centric community that provides activities and fellowship.