How do you know if you should use a Nursing Home or Assisted Living ,for yourLO? Do you make the choice or is it made for you. The time is coming near and I am so confused. Thanks for any input. Callie
I'm not sure what your state does, but in Maine the patient is evaluated by a trained nurse in what is called a "Gould Assesment". This determines eligibility for AL or NH for Medicaid payment, but is also helpful for private payers to determine which is better. Check with your local Alzheimer Association or with your local Area Agency on Aging.
Thanks, Marsh. We are in Florida. We do not qualify for Medicaid or VA benefits. I've been to both for visits. NH much more expensive. People seemed drugged in some and a lot of people in bed. AL DH went to for respite is very nice. At what point do they throw them into a NH, I wonder. I don't think medicare pays for AL.
Ocallie I am also in Fl. Medicare pays for SNF for a limited time for rehab or skilled nursing. My husband's LTC policy did pay for his dementia only ALF. Other than that I think you are on your own. Often if you start with an ALF and they can't meet your husband's needs you will lose your up front money when you have to transfer him to a skilled facility.
Ocallie 36--I am in the process of looking for a facility in which to place my husband. You are right, NH is more expensive and we are private pay too. The ALF I am interested in keeps dementia patients for the rest of their life, with two exceptions: if they need a feeding tube (my husband's advance directives prohibit this) and if they need colostomy care. So my advice would be to look for a facility with a similar philosophy. At this point, I can see no advantage to incurring the additional expense for a NH.
More and more dementia care ALFs will keep their residents to the end. As marilyninMD say-much less costly and much better as the entire staff is educated to care for those with dementia.
The facility I am currently interested in has alz in locked up unit. Gives me piece of mind. DH spent 1 week there in March. He seemed content there. They are very attentive and respectful, to the patients. They seem kind but firm with them. The atmosphere is so pleasant. Music piped everywhere. No one sitting around. They have them in little groups. When they nod off, they bounce a balloon on their heads. They are quick to hit it back. I saw nothing like this in the nursing homes I visited. One of the employees,at ALF, told me that as long a they are not disruptive, they can stay until hospice takes over. You can see that I'm leaning this way. My big worry is, the LTI is only good for 5 yrs. He is quite heathy at 79 yrs old. It would be harder to pay for after that.
We have no such options here where I live. The ALF's will not provide skilled nursing care. Lynn needs total care so my only option was a nursing home.
These things are such a worry. Thank goodness for Joan and this site. It's been such a help. My questions and concerns are often answered before I even ask about them. Thank you all for helping to make this clearer for me.
Ocallie36--I would go ahead and use the insurance--you never know what will be in 5 yrs. If you like the facility I think you should let him live there. Some members here have brought their LO's home later on when they are in the final stage and brought in help to care for them, which is cheaper. Maybe you can do that if he outlives the insurance coverage.
Ocallie36--I'm not that smart but for the last 6 years I have lived, breathed and slept AD. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it has become my life (unfortunately). You'd be surprised how much you can learn in that amount of time! Seriously, it is my way of coping--the more I know, the more I feel I have some control over this disease that has overtaken my DH's life.
MarilyninMD- You are special regarding your insight. We have been at this AD busuness for 11 yrs. I can never get a handle on it, because every day something new pops up. Just keep plugging along. I haven't totally freaked out. Sometimes I come close. Thanks again.