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Read BlogYou may have concerns about being able to live at home after cancer treatment. Perhaps you have a temporary or permanent physical change or a broader need for assistance with health and personal care. If home health care is not an option, it may be time to consider assisted living or nursing home facilities that provides care in a residential atmosphere.
Many people are opposed to the idea of moving into an assisted living or nursing home facility. You may feel too young or fear the thought of giving up more control. Remember that the move may be temporary. Also, in a good care facility with a supportive environment, you may actually feel more empowered by letting other people assist you with tasks.
Talk to family, trusted friends and your health care team about whether you may have health and safety needs that can no longer be managed at your home. Together you can identify areas where support and problem solving may be needed.
Some long-term care facilities provide both assisted living and nursing home care. This allows a resident to start out in an assisted living environment and move into the nursing home level of care later if medical needs change. Ask for more information from your health care team or contact care facilities directly.
Here's an overview of assisted living and nursing home services:
Assisted Living Facilities |
Nursing Homes |
|
Definition |
Assisted living homes are not for people who need constant professional nursing care. They provide a combination of housing, personalized supportive services and health care designed to meet the needs of people who require assistance with the activities of daily living. | Nursing home residents rely on assistance with most or all activities of daily living, such as meals, bathing, dressing and toileting. Regular medical supervision and rehabilitation therapy are available. These facilities are licensed by the state and may be certified. |
Services |
Services include meals, housekeeping services, transportation, health promotion and exercise programs, personal laundry services, social and recreational activities. Provides access to health and medical services such as emergency call systems, bathing, dressing, medication management and needed assistance with eating, walking and toileting. | Services include medical care, assistance with personal care, meals, housekeeping and social activities. Provides 24-hour skilled nursing care and medical supervision for the more acute (critically ill) patients that are one step below hospital acute care. |
Payment |
Not usually paid for by health insurance or the Medicare or Medicaid programs. Can be paid for by a long-term care insurance policy, but most individuals pay the cost themselves. Costs will vary depending on the level of care and services provided. | Sometimes paid for by private pay, private health insurance policies or long-term care insurance policies. Medicare or Medicaid may pay for nursing home care under certain circumstances. Costs will vary depending on the level of care and services provided. |
Payment may come from your insurance coverage, Medicare or Medicaid, from personal funds or from a combination of both sources. You may also Check with Medicare, Medicaid and your insurance providers for detailed information about their policies.
For more information about Medicare, Medicaid, insurance and other types of payments, talk with your health care team members, an area agency on aging, a hospital discharge planner, an attorney who specializes in elder law or an admissions department of an assisted living or nursing home facility. Be prepared with:
Each state has an Ombudsman Program to provide information about how to find an assisted living or nursing home facility and what to do to receive quality care. The program also responds to complaints and will provide an ombudsman (government official) to advocate for residents and work for improvements in the long-term care system. If you choose a facility you are not happy with, ombudsmen are trained to resolve problems, identify, investigate and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents.
You can also check with your local Department of Consumer Affairs or Better Business Bureau to see if any complaints have been filed against a facility.
The best way to find out whether the facility appeals to you is to visit the facility on multiple occasions and at different times of the day. Be sure to talk with both residents and staff. First, call the facilities that are of initial interest to find out if they accept your type of payment plan and if they have space available. Next, arrange for at least one visit to the facility and if possible, make two or three visits.
Many placements made directly from the hospital to a skilled nursing facility are temporary--an average of four to six weeks. However, even in temporary situations, such a major change in your life can bring up feelings of loss or fears about the future. You may experience grief about having less independence and feel anxiety about leaving familiar surroundings. Such feelings and concerns are understandable and many people have them.
Consider sharing your feelings with trusted family, friends and other people who are in your situation, such as a support group. If your feelings about this decision become overwhelming, talk to a professional such as a hospital social worker, psychologist or counselor.
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