While some nursing homes try to resemble homes, others are set up like hospitals with medical staff, occupational, physical, and speech therapy. Homelike nursing homes usually don’t stick to a fixed daily schedule, and staff members are allowed and encouraged to develop relationships with residents. Some nursing homes allow aging couples to live together. Some nursing homes have select care units for people with dementia.
There are a variety of services that nursing homes provide, so ensure to choose the right facility depending on your loved one’s needs. You can opt for:
- Intermediate nursing care – provides health-related care such as medication management
- Skilled nursing care – provides 24-hour professional nurse care for both short-term and long-term stays
- Subacute nursing care – offer services that cover more intense monitoring or therapy that nursing homes typically offer and is intended for short-term stays.
The main benefit of nursing homes is a variety of professionals that are available 24 hours a day. These facilities have security and staff available around the clock, so they provide a safe environment for persons with Alzheimer’s or other types of dementia who might be likely to wander.
However, many people feel that nursing homes remove their independence and require some transition period before they start feeling comfortable. This transition can be stressful, triggering anxiety and depression, and worsening the person’s already impaired health.
Also, high-quality nursing facilities are often costly.
