In 36 years of representing seniors at the end of their life process I have only met someone who wanted to check themselves into a nursing home once. Once.
Home care or seniors is not just a social expectation, it is also a highly efficient way for provide care, attention, and comfort, without the indignity and loss of companionship that accompanies an institutional placement. For most, home care seems the best, if not only right, thing to do.
There are many companies that have sprung up that provide services from visiting nurses, to physical therapy, to helping with tasks around the house. There are even contractors who specialize in retrofitting a home with doorways, hallways, and kitchen and bathroom fixtures necessary to provide ongoing support to an elderly person no longer able to provide care for themselves alone. Like with any service provider, due diligence is the key to selecting the right provider.
For those who cannot afford to make changes to their home, or whose loved one needs more care than a daily visit can accommodate, or whose medicals needs exceed the time allotted, or expertise of available family members, it is important to remember that built right into the Social Security law is a benefit called Nursing Home Care for the Aged and Disabled. It is a benefit that can be accessed by anyone who qualifies, and, once qualified, it is a benefit that will provide care without time limits.
Making the choice between home care and nursing home care is a personal and important decision for both the patient and the family. Diligence and communication are the keys to long term success.
This article is written by an attorney at Wyatt & Mirabella, PC. Always consult an attorney before making any legal decisions. To make an appointment today for a free consultation, please click here to contact us.