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Home » Consumer Information » Elderly Care

Nursing Home Alternatives

Elderly people who are very ill or feeble tend to end their lives in nursing homes. Many of these people would prefer the quality of care that nursing homes provide in the comfort of their own homes, surrounded by family, friends, neighbors, and community service and professional care providers. There are a number of alternatives to life in a nursing home. You may want to consider enlisting an elder care locator to assist with your search of a convenient and caring service from one of the following:

Assisted living

This is ideal for a person who requires support with a variety of routine tasks like cooking, washing clothes, or taking medicine. The term assisted living usually translates literally to “living with assistance.” However, many residents live on their own inside the assisted living facility. Occupants often pay rent on a monthly basis in addition to any other services that they may need to get by on a daily basis.

Home and community care

There are a number of services offered to those who are sick or disabled and too immobile to leave their homes. These programs, which are available in most areas, include visitor and shopper services, Meals on Wheels, and adult daycare. Insurance will normally pay for a fraction of in-home care expenses as long as they are related to medical necessities.

Subsidized senior housing

State and federally funded housing programs exist that help pay for living quarters for the elderly or lower class seniors. Some of these subsidized complexes provide assistance with day-to-day tasks as needed, but the majority of these facilities’ inhabitants are relatively self-sufficient and reside in their own apartments within the complex.

Board and care homes

These are unique group living arrangements intended to fulfill the needs of those who cannot operate without constant assistance and require the care that only a nursing home can provide. Board and care homes provide many more services that assisted living residences don’t offer; most of them employ staff who will assist with simple life activities like sitting and standing, walking, bathing, and going to the bathroom. Some of the time, private long-term care insurance and medical assistance programs will provide financial assistance to people living in board and care residences. It is important to keep in mind that many of these homes are not paid for by Medicare or Medicaid and are not tightly managed either.

Continuing care retirement communities (CCRC)

This living situation offers any type of care to its elderly residents ranging from those who live independently to those who need specialized nursing care. Most CCRCs require a down payment along with a signed contract before the resident is allowed to move in. Residents can also be expected to pay monthly rent and associated fees such as cable. This makes CCRCs the most expensive alternative for seniors with moderate income.