By Mary West
Nursing Home Alternatives to Consider
As people age and require more care, they start contemplating a move
to an assisted living facility or nursing home. Places that offer
assisted living are often pleasant abodes, but they are pricey, with
most costing around $3,000 per month. The nursing home option can be
undesirable, as low staffing sometimes results in neglect and abuse of
residents.
Are any other alternatives available? The answer is a resounding yes.
Below are some wonderful choices to consider that provide a higher
quality of life than what is found in most facilities.
Village Network
The village concept permits seniors to live at home longer than would
otherwise be feasible. It started in 1999 with the founding of Beacon
Hill Village, a network of elderly residents in a Boston neighborhood.
Since that time, more than 150 villages have been formed around the
world, and more than 100 are in development, reports
The Atlantic.
Villages have several benefits. Members vet service providers such as
home care workers, drivers, and plumbers, so everyone has access to a
list of trustworthy people they can call should any need arise. Seniors
belonging to the village also go to museums together and socialize.
Staff or volunteers serve in many ways, such as taking members to the
doctor or grocery store.
The cost of belonging to the networks varies. While the Beacon Hill
Village members have a yearly fee of $675, which pays for full-time
staff, other villages are operated by volunteers and have much lower
fees or no fees at all.
Do villages have drawbacks? One concern is the safety issue
associated with being alone 24/7. A senior could fall, and some time
could elapse before the person is found. However, this problem should be
weighed against the alternative of spending years in a dreary but safe
existence.
Staying at Home (Non-Village)
Because the village network concept is relatively new, many seniors
may not live in an area where they have access to one. Nonetheless,
making modifications in the home and arranging for an array of services
may enable the elderly to stay out of a long-term care facility longer,
according to
U.S. News & World Report.
Although this choice doesn’t come with the social benefits of villages,
it gives seniors the profound comfort and pleasure of more years in
their own home.
Home modifications can significantly promote independent living.
These changes would include building an outdoor ramp and widening
doorways to permit easy maneuverability of a walker or wheelchair. The
bathroom is a critical area, but installing a floor-level shower and
grab bars as well as using a raised toilet seat and shower bench can
make a big difference. Removing area rugs and other potential obstacles
can reduce the risk of falling.
When seniors are no longer able to cook, various organizations can
help. Meals on Wheels delivers frozen meals that accommodate special
dietary restrictions. This need may also be met by churches or senior
homes that offer meals in a community dining setting.
A geriatric care manager can assist seniors in finding local
resources for other services. When housekeeping becomes difficult, a
cleaning crew can be hired to come every other week. If vision and
health problems make driving unsafe, groceries can be ordered online and
delivered; Mobile Markets is a grocery delivery service for seniors.
Some communities have volunteers that provide rides to doctors’
appointments and other places.
Hiring a Caregiver
Some seniors need more than modifications and services to be able to
stay in their home. If they have the income to cover the expense, they
can have a caregiver 24/7. If this isn’t necessary, they can hire a
caregiver for four to six hours per day for an average cost of $21 per
hour. A home health agency nurse could also visit daily to check on
vital signs and medications.
Moving in with Children
One in six American households is multigenerational, reports
Safewise.
Moving in with children presents the advantage of maximal personal
involvement, but it can pose challenges when everyone is accustomed to
having their own space. Some homes have an attic, basement, or area over
the garage that can be transformed into separate living quarters for a
senior. Another option is to purchase a MEDCottage or “Granny pod,”
which is a freestanding unit with all the amenities of home that can be
installed on the property.
If a senior is alone at home all day, an adult daycare center could
be of value. The staff monitors medications and provides crafts, games,
and other amusements. On average, these centers cost $76 per day.
Joining a Retirement Community
Moving to a home or apartment in an age-restricted community can come
with several perks such as meals, transportation, cleaning, and on-call
medical care. This is a choice to consider for seniors who are
relatively independent and only need the availability of services.
Adult Foster Care
Regulated by states and counties, adult foster care is less expensive
than assisted living and nursing home facilities, with nationwide costs
ranging from $1,500 to $3,500 per month, reports
Paying for Senior Care.
In this scenario, one to three seniors are cared for in a home. They
receive personal care, meals, and supervision, along with assistance
with toileting, bathing, and medications.
Group Living
Group living was discussed in more detail previously in the
Silver Standard News.
It involves several friends moving in together, which is similar to the
village network but on a smaller scale. This concept offers an economic
advantage because the friends can share expenses. It also means the
seniors always have someone with whom to share activities and engage in
conversation. In addition, group living affords safety because the
friends can get help if a senior falls or needs medical attention.
A one-size-fits-all choice doesn’t exist, as preferences and needs
will vary. Notwithstanding, the elderly can take heart that a move to a
facility isn’t necessarily an inevitability. In many cases, they may
select among alternatives that permit them either to stay in their own
home or to move to a family member’s or friend’s home. All of the
options have multiple positives.
Full Article & Source:
From The Silver Standard’s Elder Abuse Reform Now Project: An Alternative to Nursing Home Care
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