When to Move from Assisted Living to a Nursing Home
With all the options available for various senior living needs, it can be confusing to know what everything means. Phrases are often used interchangeably and sometimes incorrectly. This can leave you with questions like:
- Is assisted living the same as a nursing home?
- What kind of care is provided in a nursing home?
- How do I know when it’s time to make the transition?
Assisted living is not the same as a nursing home, but it is the next step up from independent living. It offers many of the same activities with a level of assistance included within a home setting. Services may include assistance with personal care and daily tasks like bathing, dressing, medication management, or cooking.
Nursing homes, on the other hand, are for those who need around-the-clock medical care. In life plan communities this is called skilled nursing and caters to individual needs. Each patient has a customized care plan for the staff to follow.
It can be difficult to know when it’s time to move to a different type of care facility or to change the type of care services provided. Each person’s needs are unique to their abilities and personality, so it’s important to consider how to best improve their quality of life.
While there are many things to watch for, here are six common signs that a care plan may need to be altered to include more intensive services.
- 24-hour care is needed
- Falling is more frequent
- Hospital visits have increased
- Medical conditions have worsened or become complex
- Assistance is needed to move around in the home
- Hospice or palliative care is required
If you notice any of these happening with your loved one, it may be time to consider moving them to a nursing home or requesting a live-in skilled nurse.
To learn more about assisted living communities and skilled nursing services in Waterford, MI, please reach out online or call Canterbury On The Lake.