If one can continue to "add on" health assistance where their parent is living, when is a nursing home necessary? I am trying to figure out where the dividing line is....what is the difference between assisted living with a lot of care added on and a nursing home?
They helped residents who could not ambulate independently get to the dining room and to activities.
The kitchen offered modified diets for those with chewing and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) and aides prompted people to eat and helped feed those who couldn't do it themselves.
No resident was "bed bound", everyone was up and dressed daily unless they were acutely ill.
There were 3 facility doctors and a nurse practitioner, RNs and RPNs as well as as higher number of PSWs than were available on the AL/retirement home side of the building.
Residents were toileted regularly and incontinence was dealt with routinely throughout the day and night.
Those who were frail were repositioned on a schedule. PT and range of motion PT was also routinely given.
For my Mom, she went from home to the hospital to rehab to a Nursing Home because she needed a lot of care. More then what an Assisted Living or Memory Care could do.
Dad, on the other hand, went from home to a senior facility Independent Living, then later to their Memory Care. When he became quite sick, the facility was still able to work with him.
This can vary from State to State, from facility to facility.
Can they leave? Is the wing locked down? If it got into her head to take a walk would she be able to leave through ANY door?
Would she be able to leave with anyone that you do not know? Or someone that does not have the legal right to take her off grounds?
If ANY of the answers to these are YES then she should be in Memory Care not necessarily a "Nursing Home" or Skilled Nursing Facility. That would be reserved for a time when the Memory Care is not able to care for her safely. Some can not or will not use equipment where a SNF can and does use equipment to safely transfer or care for residents.
The cost of the AL had become equal to that of a LTC facility and there is no Medicaid Waiver for AL where I live that would help my mother. And she was going to run out of funds sooner and after she could no longer pay, she would have to move from AL. After speaking with a social worker I made the decision to move my mother to LTC while she could still pay privately for at least six months. This is desirable in my state according to the social worker. It was the best decision I made. She is getting better and more appropriate care. They made changes for her safety. Her interaction and strength has improved. She was discharged from hospice. The LTC facility has more trained staff on hand 24/7 and is equipped to provide a wider range of care on site.
While I hoped for my mother to pass away in her nicely decorated AL room with a view of the mountains, it wasn’t in the cards. She is better off in LTC and has more eyes on her to insure her safety and well being. And she will be able to transition to Medicaid once her funds run out.
I can only say press the staff for answers and follow your gut instinct. While I had a negative experience with the AL, that is not always the case. There are some great facilities out there. Good luck!