When Is It Time for a Nursing Home? 6 Questions to Ask

Though many seniors live in skilled nursing facilities long-term, they may also go to a nursing home temporarily to recover after a major health event. In these cases, seniors and their families may select a skilled nursing facility instead of in-home rehabilitation if they need more frequent care or believe they’ll achieve better results.

Skilled nursing facilities offer these services for recovering seniors:

• Constant care. Skilled nursing facilities ensure staff are available 24 hours a day. This can be a draw for families who live farther away from their loved one.
• Additional therapy. While in-home rehab programs typically encompass two or three days of treatment a week, skilled nursing facilities differ by giving seniors access to therapies five to six days a week.
• Professional care counseling. Skilled nursing staff will carefully determine when it’s safe to discharge your family member. On average, short-term rehabilitation stays in nursing homes last four to six weeks, but care plans can vary widely. Medicare Part A covers portions of shorter nursing home stays, typically covering all costs for the first 20 days, then partial coverage for days 21 – 100.
• Meals and housekeeping. Skilled nursing facilities include meals and housekeeping services, so the only thing you and your loved one need to think about is recovering.

If the answer is yes, it may be time to consider a long-term stay in a nursing home. Oftentimes, the need arises when health conditions have become too complex or debilitating for family members to care for a loved one on their own, especially in their own home.

For example, assisted living helps seniors with activities of daily living (ADLs), medication management, and some nonmedical health services as needed. In some cases, nurses might oversee care plans, aides provide support, and many communities offer transportation to doctor’s appointments. But generally, assisted living communities have care limits.

In contrast, skilled nursing facilities offer 24/7 access to medical care and supervision, in addition to help with many ADLs. Care providers may include registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs), certified nurse assistants (CNAs), physical therapists, occupational therapists, and others. For families who need extra peace of mind, or seniors with unpredictable health issues, this round-the-clock care may prove to be crucial.

Is a nursing home the right fit?

Seniors with complex chronic illnesses like cancer and diabetes, progressive conditions like muscular dystrophy and Parkinson’s, or advanced cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s and Huntington’s disease, may require nursing home care. It often depends on the level of care they need to manage their condition and the number of challenges they face.

For instance, does your loved one need a catheter, IV drip, a ventilator, or other specialized medical care? Are they experiencing rapid weight loss? These observations may help families and caregivers decide when to get them support in a nursing home.

Do they have complications from diabetes, or are they able to manage their blood sugar with limited help? The more assistance a senior needs, the more likely it’s time to consider a nursing home.

Does your loved one receive Medicare-covered palliative care at home? In some cases, it may be easier to receive palliative care in a nursing home setting.

If they have Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia, memory care is a growing and popular alternative to nursing homes. In these communities, staff are trained to maximize quality of life and decrease common dementia behaviors, such as anger, aggression, and confusion.

Read more:8 Signs It’s Time for Memory Care

The answer to “When is it time for a nursing home?” may be in your loved one’s mobility. Falls present a serious — sometimes fatal — danger for the elderly. If a senior falls often, this may indicate they can no longer live safely at home.

Nursing home staff are trained to care for older adults with mobility challenges, and facilities are designed to minimize safety risks. If your loved one frequently falls but doesn’t have other serious caregiving needs, consider an assisted living facility.

Read more:11 Signs It Might Be Time for Assisted Living

Seniors who use a wheelchair and can’t transfer to their bed or use the bathroom independently may require a greater level of care, such as transfers and an escort to medical appointments, social events, meals, and more. Nursing homes can meet this need.

If your loved one is confined to their bed, it may be time for a nursing home. They might benefit from help with incontinence, many activities of daily living (ADLs), and preventing bedsores from trained caregivers who can be there night and day.

Nursing homes questions? Get expert help

Staff at skilled nursing facilities help with a wide variety of activities of daily living (ADLs) and address more advanced needs than assisted living communities do. Two examples are feeding and maintaining dental hygiene. Nursing home staff regularly assist with feeding. In other words, not being able to complete these necessary tasks may indicate a loved one should move to a nursing home.

In addition, nursing home care incorporates dental exams, teeth cleanings, and other treatments to promote dental health in seniors.

A nursing home is an excellent choice for a loved one that needs skilled nursing care available 24 hours a day. However, there are alternatives for those who don’t require intensive care and supervision.

If you and your parents can’t decide what to do, consider reaching out to A Place for Mom’s Senior Living Advisors. While A Place for Mom does not refer to nursing homes, our advisors can help answer any lingering questions or help you understand if assisted living or memory care may be a better option, all free of charge.