AL vs nursing home

renatep

Hello. My mom that previously lived with me until she required 24/7 supervision now lives in AL. She’s having more behaviors as the Alzheimer’s progresses. At what point would she need nursing home?

Jolynn05

I would choose memory care first and have a nursing home as your last possible choice. I just posted about the nightmare we are going through trying to get my mom out of a SNF. Once they get them in they never want to let them go and if she’s still okay in assisted living then maybe like I said she just needs a memory care facility and perhaps medicine that will help with unwanted behaviors. Prayers for you. This is all so hard and draining and sad. 😥

Ci2Ci

A reminder that some SNFs (nursing homes) have separate memory care units. Some SNFs don't have a separate "secured" or "locked" unit (meaning no door access directly to uncontained outdoor areas), but they might have a Wandergard-type system for residents with dementia.

Call SNFs directly and ask. You won't find that listed on the Medicare/Medicaid facility finder website (or others similar). I'd recommend that you start that research now and get added to waitlists, if you don't find ones with open beds. IMO, the SNF/MC units don't have much turnover. So, get on many waitlists and then if you are called, reassess your LO's needs then (if you don't believe that need to be immediate).

If you are now or will be in need of MediCAID-LTC (long-term care), it pretty much has to be in a SNF -- but can be in the memory care unit of a SNF.

towhee

Every facility is a little different in what they can handle. I would have a discussion with your facility management (but not their sales staff) and try to get some definite answers as to what would cause them to ask your LO to leave. Also talk to family members of residents who have been there a while. One thing that is pretty standard that causes problems is a resident who tries to leave, in a facility with a low level security system. Usually a facility will try to address problems with medication or requiring private caregivers before they ask someone to leave, but it is a wise to know what other facilities are available.