Assisted living: a friendlier and less expensive alternative to nursing homes

Contrary to what you may think, when someone is unable to take care of their own personal needs, they don't need to move to a nursing home or convalescent hospital. Needing help with medication management or bathing doesn't require a skilled nursing facility (SNF). A SNF is appropriate for short-term stays where a patient can receive physical therapy or nursing supervision following, for example, an operation. Unless a person requires medical care (such as intravenous therapy), the only reason many people become SNF residents is because they must rely on government money to pay for their care. For several reasons, a more logical destination for people unable to live at home is assisted living.#1) The assisted living environment is more homelike for both the resident and their family. (A SNF is more like a hospital) #2) Care in a SNF is more expensive than assisted living. #3) There are a larger variety of assisted living facilities; one SNF is pretty much like the next SNF. Therefore, before resigning yourself to thinking an elderly loved one needs to move to a SNF, why not learn how assisted living can be an option? You'll welcome being aware of this more home-like environment. Visit the official website of the California Association for Nursing Home Reform (CANHR). Following these simple instructions will reward you with a very good understanding of Assisted Living: You may decide it is the best alternative for your elderly-loved one

• First go to CANHR's site: http://www.canhr.org/. On the first page that opens, in the upper left side, is the cue: Find a Nursing Home
• Once you are on the subsequent page, find and click on Alternatives to Nursing Care
• Then click What You Need to Know About Residential Care Facilities
• You will want to read this page titled RCFE/ Assisted Living.