 New Rochelle, NY - There comes a time in most adult’s life, when they have to grapple with the question of how best to take care of a loved one.
Thrown between the need to respect a person’s desire to retain their independence and facing the reality of a person’s medical necessities, it begs the question – when is a nursing home the best option? The easy answer is - when an individual needs 24-hour care and supervision, a long-term care facility is probably the best answer.
To determine the kind of care actually needed and decide on the services required, it is best to begin with considering the individual's needs and preferences, not yours.
- Start by accurately assessing a person's needs - you may need to consult with his or her physician, a social worker, various therapists (speech, physical or occupational) and anyone else who may be able to contribute to this process.
- Research the local services and programs available. Educate yourself on available options.
- Armed with your findings, visit any facilities that appear to meet the individual's needs and preferences. Remember to consider the person’s financial condition and age, in addition to the proximity of the facility’s location to friends and family who will be visiting.
- Gain an understanding of the different payment options, including, private pay/family pay, long-term care insurance, private insurance, and veteran’s benefits.
- Use the combination of your research, and visits to identify appropriate match in the community.
- Work with the staff chosen facility to lessen the stress of the move to a nursing home. When possible, the assessment and planning process should involve all who are concerned, including the individual and his or her family, physician, and social worker.
If you are feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of evaluating the various options, there are community services such as the Office of the Aging, Professional Geriatric Care Managers and other individuals in the healthcare who are familiar with the various elder care options.
When approached from what is in the best interest of your loved one, it is always easy to find the right place that has the potential to feel like and become home.
Myra Bailin is the community outreach director of Glen Island Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation. Reach her at
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