Your family means a lot to you. When you’re unable to care for them exclusively it can feel like a personal failing.
Admitting you need assistance in providing your loved one with the care they need to live a high quality life is not a failure, but the first step toward ensuring they have a bright future ahead of them. The United States is boasting a rapidly aging population, with an estimated 20% of the country expected to be over the age of 65 in just a few decades. This means conversations about assisted living services are only going to get more widespread from here. Instead of relying on outdated misinformation about the nature of health care agencies, arm yourself with knowledge and start learning about the options currently available to you.
What is skilled nursing care and how can you make sure your assisted living centers are best suited to your loved one’s needs?
Assisted living communities are highly beneficial resources for a wide variety of people. Not only do elderly persons rely on them for around-the-clock medical care and a supportive community, but persons with disabilities or significant injuries rely on them in order to transition from one area of life to another. Back in 2002 nursing homes were best known under the term ‘care homes’, with modern vernacular starting to favor ‘assisted living’ or ‘assisted living facilities’.
The United States is boasting more assisted living services than ever before. The average admissions age for a nursing home is frequently 78 or 79 years of age, but people of all ages and abilities will find themselves under the care of a home nursing agency. Veterans, people with mental illness, people with physical disabilities, those just under the age of 65 and those temporarily bed-ridden all benefit from the aid of caring staff, transportation assistance and around-the-clock medical care. Financial aid is often available for veterans in need of services.
One of the most common reasons family will ask, “What is skilled nursing care?” is the onset of dementia and related illness. It’s estimated as many as 40% of nursing home patients actively suffer from some form of dementia, with Alzheimer’s disease still known as the most virulent of these conditions. A significant number of nurses actively specialize in elderly care, able to properly attend to the needs of older populations in need of not just physical care, but emotional support. Keep in mind Medicare can sometimes cover nursing home costs provided some requirements are met.
A common misconception about the nature of nursing care homes is their day-to-day function. Many are understandably confused and even afraid of being separated from their families, but the fact of the matter is much different. The very best nursing homes provide steady access to comprehensive care teams that offer a wide range of skills. These encourage independence on behalf of each resident, allowing them to still enjoy their life to the fullest and keep a close connection to their friends, family and community. Some elderly homes are specifically designed around dementia — while this condition cannot be cured or prevented, it’s more than possible to increase an individual’s quality of life.
Admitting a loved one to an assisted living community is stressful. Asking, “What is skilled nursing care?”, however, proves you are putting their safety and sense of well-being first. Retirement homes will be more than happy to provide you and your family member a tour of the facilities, explaining their day-to-day function, their community activities and available amenities. Back in 2000 nearly 5% of all American citizens aged 65 years or older lived in a nursing home. This number will only grow higher as America’s population ages and the nature of assisted living becomes better understood.
What is skilled nursing care? It’s the next step toward your loved one’s golden years.
