Currently, there are over one million people living under nursing home care. The typical resident is a senior widowed-woman.
Nursing home is mostly a private pay senior care option since Medicare does not pay for long-term options with custodial care such as assisted living. With that in mind, many nursing homes residents pay for the service or have families who cover the expenses.
As the number of seniors increases, the number of nursing home residents has also been increasing. Although the level of care and type of facility varies greatly among residences, nursing ome provides a much-needed senior care option that is not as hands-on as a skilled nursing facility.
The Center for Disease Control (2010 study of Residential Care Facilities) found 96% of all residents who first move into a facility can drive.
As a person ages, friends and family visit more often to check on the aging relative and loved one. As an older adult’s health declines and becomes frail, worry heightens for the family. They know if a slip occurs in the kitchen or on a wet bathroom tile, its disastrous without immediate intervention.
As family worry escalates, discussions begin around care options. At first, none are appealing, especially to the older adult. As time passes, the relative needs more and more attention and help. Mom needs help getting dressed, getting in and out of the tub, help with cooking, and keeping doctor’s appointments.
Even though she may not need help around the clock, she needs someone to keep an eye on her more often than once a day or week.
Chronic Conditions
More than three-fourths of nursimg homes have had at least 2 of the 10 most common chronic conditions; high blood pressure and Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias were the most prevalent.The 10 most common chronic conditions among residents:
1. High blood pressure (57%),
2. Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias (42%),
3. Heart disease (34%),
4. Depression (28%),
5. Arthritis (27%),
6. Osteoporosis (21%),
7. Diabetes (17%),
8. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and allied conditions (15%),
9. Cancer (11%),
10. Stroke (11%).
More than one-quarter of Residential Care Facilities’ residents diagnosed with 4-10 of the most common chronic conditions (26%); one-half of residents diagnosed with 2-3 of the most common chronic conditions; 18% diagnosed with one of these chronic conditions; and the remaining 6% been diagnosed with these conditions.