Convalescent Home
From LoveToKnow Seniors
The right convalescent home helps ailing seniors obtain needed medical care, emotional support and assistance with daily living.
What is a Convalescent Home?
A convalescent home provides assistance for adults, typically seniors, who require 24-hour care. Seniors may have extensive medical needs or require assistance performing activities of daily living (ADL), such as eating, dressing, and grooming. A convalescent home is more commonly referred to as a nursing home, or a skilled nursing facility. The primary difference between the two is that a skilled nursing facility provides on-duty nurses round-the-clock.
A convalescent home may be a temporary or permanent solution in [Elder Care|elder care]]. Some seniors reside at a nursing home temporarily, following a short-term health crisis, such as recuperation from injury or a hospital stay. Patients may then return to the care of their spouse or family or resume independent living.
Selecting a Home
Before selecting a convalescent home, research your options as much as possible. The AARP offers a "State-by-State Guide to Nursing Home Performance Data" with links to state nursing home guides, report cards, violations, and other helpful resources. Medicare's Nursing Home Compare utility provides information on Medicare and Medicaid-certified convalescent homes.
While these services can help you research your options and avoid questionable operations, nothing compares to an actual visit to a nursing home facility. Ideally, the choice of convalescent home is made in advance, but often the need for a facility comes as a surprise.
Questions to Ask
Become educated about potential facilities by observation and by asking the following questions:
- Are rooms private or shared occupancy? Some nursing home residents enjoy the company of a roommate, while others prefer the privacy and quiet of a single room.
- What is the staff's demeanor? Cheerful staff members, who enjoy their work, go a long way towards a pleasant atmosphere for the senior residing in a convalescent home.
- Do the residents seem content to be there? The attitude of other residents reveals much about the quality of care.
- Are there planned activities? Even simple activities, like bingo and music nights, make a big difference in breaking the monotony of life in an institutionalized setting.
- What are the visitation policies? Open access to friends and family is important for your well-being and that of your loved ones.
- What security measures are provided? Good security keeps unwanted visitors out and keeps residents safe inside the building.
- How well staffed is the facility? Adequate staffing makes a difference in getting prompt care and attention.
- Is there a staff dietitian? Well-balanced and nutritional meals, that meet any dietary restrictions, is important.
- How is the atmosphere? Is it strictly an institutional or does it offer touches of home?
- Are special needs addressed? For seniors with Alzheimer's disease or other specialized needs, what resources are available? Does the facility offer diverse care such as pet therapy? Overall, is the facility tailored to the senior's needs?
Paying for Care
Unfortunately, staying in a convalescent home is expensive. A 2006 MetLife survey found that the average annual cost of nursing home care is $75,190. These expenses can quickly destroy even the most robust of retirement savings.
Skilled nursing care and related rehabilitation services are often covered by insurance. Medicare and Medicaid pays for care at certified facilities, although, there are many restrictions. Long-term care insurance is one option for ensuring that you can afford the assistance you need if you are unable to care for yourself. Paying for long-term care insurance now can provide peace of mind for you and your family in the future.
Learn More
This page has been accessed 2,247 times. This page was last modified 05:34, 3 February 2007.
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