Cant Afford Nursing Home, What Are My Options

Nursing homes can be very expensive but if you are a senior who needs care or you have a parent, friend, or another family member who needs care that you cannot provide – it can truly be a very scary time if you don’t know where to turn! In the day and age that we live in though, there are many other care options that you can consider. So if you are thinking that you cant afford nursing home what are my options? Carry on reading to discover some of the different avenues that are out there.

Care options for seniors

An informal caregiver

There are many people out there who are perfectly capable of being caregivers but don’t work in a care home. If the elderly person does not require around-the-clock care but instead needs somebody to take of their daily needs, a caregiver could be the perfect option and it should be fairly easy to find one. Some of the things that an informal giver might be able to take care of include shopping, helping with washing and dressing, giving medication, and so on. An informal caregiver would likely be somebody like a friend of the family but there would not usually be many routines to it. You as the family member might be able to help with these things and can give instructions for care as you see fit.

Paid caregivers

While informal caregivers are ideal for helping with a few jobs here and there, paid caregivers are able to do more and the elderly person is still able to stay in the comfort of their own home, which is usually a big relief to them and their family. These types of caregivers will usually come to the client’s home a few times a week or in some cases, daily, and help with different tasks. This will usually involve washing, dressing, toilet assistance, cooking meals, and so on. These types of carers will likely charge up to $20 an hour but it is still going to be much cheaper than sending the senior citizen to a nursing home. Really consider the elderly person in need of care and if this could be an option that will work well for their needs.

Adult daycare

Adult daycare pretty much works in exactly the same way as daycare for children, and it is becoming a type of care that is becoming more popular for the elderly in America. Adults will be looked after in a safe environment and by trained professionals if you opt for adult daycare. This is ideal for adults who require so much care that it is not in their benefit to stay in their own homes to receive care. These types of settings have amazing feedback and are ideal for a number of different things including health monitoring, occupational therapy, and speech therapy. A range of different activities is also done in adult daycare including arts, crafts, and exercise classes. The cost of adult daycare will vary from state to state so be sure to have a look at what is available in your area. The great thing about this adult daycare is that it will give the family members a much-needed break but the elderly person can return back to their home afterward.

Adult foster café

Adult foster care is also sometimes referred to as adult family care or small group assisted living. This basically consists of a home-type facility with a small number of residents and paid staff members who look after them in the way that they need. These staff members will help with such things as daily care, dispensing of medication, transportation, and meal prep. These types of facilities are generally much smaller than nursing homes and can offer a more close-knit environment for residents and staff alike, although the type of care and support is similar. This is usually a much cheaper option than nursing homes but it still isn’t cheap and unfortunately, Medicare does not cover it.

Community services

Some churches, places of faith, and community buildings in a local area can help to provide care for the elderly and while this is done often, it is not usually an official thing. This is more like a group of people offering a helping hand rather than a full-blown care service, however. It could be something like volunteers taking elderly people to routine doctor’s appointments, helping with meal prep, or something of that nature. It really just depends on where you live and if there are these types of volunteer services in your area.

Seeking advice from a professional in elder care

If you have exhausted the methods that have been mentioned and you are still no closer to finding elder care for one reason or another, it might be time to seek help from a professional for further advice regarding your circumstances. Everybody is different and if you are not getting help for the situation that you need help for, there are other routes that you can go down. There have been many circumstances through the years where people have struggled to get the appropriate care for their parent or family member. Looking for an attorney in elder care is the best thing to do if you find yourself in this position.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that care not provided by the government or covered by insurance can have a hefty price tag and can sometimes be expensive. While a nursing home is something that some families go for, it simply isn’t a viable option for everybody and that is usually down to financial situations. The care industry is one with many different options but you might need to fight for the type of care that you are looking for. A bunch of different options has been mentioned if you are wondering cant afford nursing home what are my options? And hopefully some of these ideas have been helpful to you and going forward, you can find a solution that works best for you.