Is Nursing Home Care the Best Alternative?

When a person can no longer live on their own, you must think of alternative ways of living. However, a nursing home may not always be the best option.

Assessing: Is Nursing Home Care the Best Alternative?

If the individual needs 24-hours of care, a long-term facility would be best. When/if there needs to be less intensive and less restrictive care, there are different programs that can be mixed to best help your loved one.

1. Determine which services are needed
2. Consult with his or her physician, social worker, therapist (appropriate for the situation). Use that help to determine a plan
3. Match recommendations for care with appropriate services and programs in the community

Be sure to you involve all that are concerned such as the individual themself, the family, physician, etc. Always consider the loved one’s needs and preferences first.

What are some alternatives besides a Nursing Home?

Consider other possibilities such as, the person receiving care from his or her own home in a community setting. This type of care may prevent or delay the need for nursing home care.

Depending on the state and the available  care alternatives, you might consider:

• Home health care- broad services brought to a person in his or her own home

• Part-time skilled nursing care

• Part-time services of home health aides and homemakers

• Occupational therapy

• Physical Therapy

• Speech Therapy

• Nutrition counseling

• Medical supplies and equipment

• Home aid health- provided under the supervision of a professional therapist



Sometimes, the individual may need some assistance in individual areas:

• Homemaker- Assistance with bathing, dressing, meal preparation, light cleaning, laundry

• Chore services- combination of homemaker that also include yard maintenance, snow shoveling, heavy cleaning, etc.

• Home delivered meals- provide one to two nutritious meals a day to his or her home, mostly if they are unable to do so.

• Adult day care- This is an organized program for therapeutic health activities. These services are for adults with functional impairments, physical or mental, for the purpose of maintaining their capacity for self-care. This helps adults transition from a health facility or home health program to personal independence. This kind of program can be an alternative to nursing home care when 24-hour care is not medically necessary or being placed in a nursing home is against the wishes of the individual.

• Group dining- Lunch is often provided at a senior citizen centers or schools. This gives those the opportunity to socially interact with planned activities before and after the meal.

• Transportation and escort services

• Friendly visiting programs

Where to begin in nursing home research?

It is important to learn about all facilities and services in the community. Social workers in hospitals, public welfare agencies, social workers in philanthropic or church related agencies can be helpful by offering referral services or any guidance you may seek. You may also seek out the county public assistance office. This is a branch of the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.



Long-term care may be the only alternative to fit the needs of the individual. In this case, locating a facility most suitable for that individual and the family may be a challenge. This takes time and effort, but it is necessary because this will become his or her home as long as they remain there.

When does a person need long-term care?

When that person needs help cooking, cleaning, shopping, dressing or personal chores—and when these needs cannot be met by family or community services—long-term care would be the best option. This is also needed when the family cannot afford to provide for the person seeking medical attention or when the individual does not have a great family life.



There are things that need to be done before deciding on long-term facilities:

1. Talk the situation over with other family members, including the person needing the care.
2. Consult a physician or social worker when moving the individual from a hospital to a long-term facility.
3. Always consider the needs and preferences of the individual. They are the one who is changing their lifestyle.
4. Consider family needs. No one should feel guilty about moving a loved one when all alternatives and consequences have been weighed carefully.



What kind of long-term care is available?

Some homes specialize in personal care, health or nursing care. Be sure you make a personal visit and talk to the administrator.



There are different terms like “skilled nursing facility” or “intermediate care facility”. These terms were created because of Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare helps pay some bills for eligible persons over the age of 65. Medicaid pays for some low-income people.



An intermediate care facility is for people who need health services and some nursing supervision in addition to help with eating, dressing, walking or other personal needs. Medicaid may pay for this care, but Medicare never does.



In a skilled nursing facility, round-the-clock nursing services are available to residents that need them. In Illinois, Medicaid programs pay for care in skilled nursing facilities if a person’s physician says such care is needed and his or her decision is approved by the program. 

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