When trying to decide the right kind of care facility for yourself or a loved one, you need to look into nursing home requirements before making any firm plans. Many advanced facilities have patient criteria that must be met before someone can be admitted. It is important to find a good match for what level of care is needed.
Types
There are various facilities designed to care for a loved one that cannot live on his own. They range from senior housing for those that just need light help with housekeeping or medication reminders to advanced 24-hour places that offer around-the-clock complete care of a patient. Your loved one will have to be evaluated in order to determine the level of care needed before being accepted into most places.
Considerations
In order to qualify for complete skilled care, a loved one has to be diagnosed with not being able to perform any of the daily functions that one needs to care for himself. On the other hand, in order to be admitted to a less supervised wing where care is minimal, your loved also needs to meet the criteria of being able to care for himself. This, in some cases, means undergoing a psychological evaluation as well.
Size
Even if your loved one meets the specific nursing home requirements for admission, the availability of beds can also be an issue. Many places have different "wings" that offer the various levels of care patients need. They also must not go over room limitations and what is considered safe in the patient-to-caregiver ratio that is regulated by law.
Benefits
Another factor in whether a person is admitted is her health insurance benefits and ability to pay what is not covered, including deductibles. Most facilities can help you apply for additional coverage through county or state funding if your loved one qualifies.
Geography
With county or state insurance programs, you may be restricted to a certain area within that particular health plan coverage zone.
Warning
In addition to researching all of the nursing home requirements, it is also important to check the facilities track record for quality of care. Ask about any past health or safety complaints that have been reported.
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