Most people dread the idea of moving a loved one into a nursing home. However, what if you're faced with a parent that's not eating and losing weight, not taking a shower for weeks at a time, or not taking their medications?
In some cases, a nursing home could be the best option. For example, if your parent has taken several bone-breaking falls or is aimlessly wandering the neighborhood, then they'll certainly need full-time care. That said, a lot of people don't realize just how much support is available within their communities.
Tapping into community resources could prolong the dreaded nursing home move for several months or even years. For example, it might be that your parent's weight loss is simply a result of difficulty reaching a store or cooking, and nutrition could be improved by a program like Meals on Wheels.
For families researching facility-related protections and coverage, consider reviewing Crime Insurance for Nursing Homes to understand one aspect of institutional risk management.
Here are four tips to help you determine whether or not your elderly parent truly needs nursing home placement now.
Four tips
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Schedule a professional evaluation. A geriatric assessment evaluates your parent's mental and physical status. If there isn't a geriatrician to conduct the test available in your area, then you can contact your parent's primary care physician to see if he/she can either complete it or recommend someone. Should your parent not have a primary care physician or be financially unable to see a physician, then you might contact your local Area Agency on Aging for assistance in getting the geriatric assessment completed. The assessment will test your parent's ability to independently complete activities of daily living, which might include seeing if your parent can rise from a chair, bring a spoon to mouth, and remove and put on clothes. The physician will also assess for signs of depression, anxiety, memory deficits, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia. Remember, it's much easier to determine exactly what your parent needs and develop an appropriate course of action when all the issues affecting them have been identified.
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Follow-up the assessment with insight from family and friends. Consider the insights of those closest to your parent as you're figuring out a plan of care and narrowing down the choices on how/where that care will be provided. Consider, for example, if you're having trouble persuading your parent to bathe, if you've noticed your parent frequently forgetting to turn off the stove, or if neighbors have reported having to help your lost, wandering parent back home.
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Determine what community help is available. If you've determined that your parent needs a little help, but doesn't need 24-hour-care, then you might be able to delay nursing home placement with the use of community resources. A listing of local services is usually available at your local Area Agency on Aging. The federal government's Eldercare Locator website is another resource to locate services by your location.
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You might want the assistance of a professional. If you don't live in the same city or state as your parent, have too many existing responsibilities to go it alone, or just feel overwhelmed, then you might consider hiring a geriatric care manager. This person can help you with just determining the type and level of care your parent needs — or — through every step of the process, including locating community resources; providing status updates to you on the parent; obtaining a companion, sitter, or health care professional to provide part-time assistance; finding transportation to medical appointments; locating an adult day care, assisted living facility, or nursing home; and, once in a facility, monitor your parent's care. Geriatric case managers typically charge a couple hundred dollars for an initial consultation and $80-$200 an hour for help thereafter.
If you are comparing living options, you may also find it helpful to read about institutional coverage such as Insurance for Assisted Living Facilities to understand differences in services and protections.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I consider a nursing home instead of in-home care?
Consider a nursing home when your loved one requires round-the-clock medical supervision, is at high risk of repeated falls, or needs complex medical care that cannot be provided safely at home.
What does a geriatric assessment include?
A geriatric assessment evaluates physical abilities, cognitive status, mood, medication management, and daily living skills to identify care needs and appropriate services.
How can I find community services like Meals on Wheels?
Contact your local Area Agency on Aging or use national resource locators to find meal delivery, transportation, and in-home support in your area.