Assisted Living Homes and Other Facilities That Provide 24-Hour Supervision and Healthcare

When the elderly, disabled, and terminally ill require 24-hour healthcare, they may live in a nursing home or skilled nursing facility. Some of these nursing homes may be assisted living facilities where residents can enjoy independent living while having access to the medical care they may need. When searching for the best nursing homes, these will have comprehensive teams that provide a broad range of healthcare and assisted living services.

Nursing homes and other types of skilled nursing facilities are often referred to with a variety of names. Since 2002, for example, they have been referred to as care homes. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the United States has roughly 16,100 of these facilities. On average, nursing homes and related facilities, such as assisted living homes, have an 86% occupancy rate.

Nursing home residents, on average, have been living in this situation for roughly 835 days. While the average age of a person being admitted is 79, there are people of varying ages that reside in assisted living homes. In 2000, for example, reports show that 4.5% of adult Americans 65 and older lived in these facilities.

At some point in their lives, women are more likely than men to live in a nursing home. Data shows that they are actually 3 times more likely to do so.

There are a variety of health issues that nursing home residents may have. Approximately 42% of the residents have some type of dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease is common. Since people that suffer with these conditions tend to require 24-hour supervision, this type of living situation can provide them with the care they need.

While some facilities are for-profit organizations, roughly 26% consider themselves to be non-profit. The costs associated with residing in a nursing home do vary. In some cases, however, Medicare will cover these costs, and it will depend on whether certain requirements are met. When veterans need this level of care, financial aid is available when needed.

It’s important to acknowledge that admitting a loved one to a nursing home can be emotionally challenging. This is why it is so important to search for a high-quality facility. When the best-possible assisted living home is located, this can greatly reduce the stress and anxiety for the individual being admitted as well as for family and friends.