Your Aging Parent Doesn’t Want to Go to a Nursing Home… Now What?

I’m sure your parents have probably said it to you, or maybe you’re even saying it now to your kids, “Whatever you do, don’t put me in a nursing home!” However, this can put you in a tough spot. If your parent is aging and needs more help, one of the safest places for them is a nursing home or a senior living facility. But if your parent is adamant about staying out of a nursing home, you do have other options. Here are four alternatives to nursing homes.
 
Assisted living
Technically speaking, assisted living facilities are not the same thing as nursing homes. Assisted livings typically have several levels of care depending on the residents needs, whereas nursing homes usually provide a higher level of care. In many assisted living facilities, residents can come and go as they please and, in some, can even have their own car. Yet there’s staff there to help them with activities of daily living, such as brushing their teeth and getting dressed. But, if your loved one views nursing homes and assisted livings as the same, this may be a hard one to convince them of.
Independent living and senior apartments
There are a lot of senior living communities that offer independent living and senior apartments. These allow your loved one to have their own space with their own private entry, and they can come and go as they please. The advantage to these kinds of apartments is that your loved one won’t have to worry about maintenance like they would at a home. These often have communal areas where seniors can meet, play cards, and eat their meals. Therefore, they still get the activity, and they will have the ability to make new friends, but they also have their privacy.
 
In-home care
In-home care is a great alternative to a nursing home. Your loved one has all of the comforts of being at home and the one-on-one care they deserve. Most elderly people have a hard time leaving their home and adjusting to a new place, so this is a great option.
Hospice
Hospice is for end-of-life care, but you don’t need to be in the hospital to receive it. You can be on hospice in your home. The purpose of hospice is to keep those who are dying comfortable, provide them peace, as well as assist their families through a difficult time.
Want to learn more about assisted living facilities? Get my book Easy Healthcare: Assisted Living. It’s filled with tips about finding the right assisted living facility for your loved one and moving in.