A nursing home stay does not have to be permanent. Many residents enter a facility temporarily to recover from an illness or accident and are able to easily transition back to living at home. For residents who continue to need care but would rather be at home, moving out of a nursing home is more complicated.
Before considering moving out of a nursing home, here are some questions to bear in mind:
- Can you receive the care you need at home? Some patients require help with eating, dressing, and going to the bathroom. You need to consider whether you can adequately get that care at home.
- Who will be providing the care? The care can come from family members or hiring in-home health care. If family members aren’t available, is there money to hire help? All 50 states have Medicaid programs that offer at least some home care. You will need to check with your state to see if you qualify.
- Will you be able to take the medications you need at home?
- How is your physical and emotional stamina? Moving back home requires determination and an ability to manage problems, since not everything will be taken care of as in a facility.
- Is the house set up to safely accommodate you? Are there a lot of stairs? Does the bathroom have rails? If the patient has dementia, there may be other considerations to take into account.
- Is there transportation available to get to doctor’s or other appointments?
If you determine that moving back home is the best option, then you can begin to craft a plan based on where you will live and who will provide care. For tips on transitioning from a nursing home to the community, click here.
Berger Estate & Elder Law P.A. has been finding solutions throughout Kansas City for over 30 years providing Trusted Counsel with Proactive Solutions for many. Give us a call today at (913) 491-6332, visit our website berger-lawfirm.com or stop by our conveniently located offices at 11233 Nall, Suite 140 Leawood, KS 66211 for more information.