It's a fact of life that some members of the elderly population require special living arrangements. Because of health concerns, 24-hour medical care is often necessary. In the United States, as of 2009, there are 15,698 nursing homes, with 285 of them in the state of Virginia, according to Local Nursing Homes, an online site that issues Medicaid-provided data.
Function
A nursing home is a place of residence for those who need medical attention for a period of time longer than that offered in a hospital. It's also available to individuals who are no longer able to care for themselves at home. Nursing homes often open their doors to married couples who need long-term living care, as well as persons who have developed mental disorders associated with aging. Trained medical staff is available.
Sample Locations
Grace Healthcare of Abingdon in Abingdon, Virginia, is a private long-term healthcare organization that has been in operation since 1997. Their nursing center service offers assistance to those individuals who need intensive care. The residents are aided by health care professionals who help bathe and dress them, organize social activities, schedule medical appointments and more. The 2010 federal review gave this facility four out of five stars for quality measures.
The Amelia Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Amelia Court House, Virginia, received four out of five stars in the 2010 federal overall category. Their website states, "Our goal is to keep our residents and short-term patients physically, intellectually and spiritually active." The center has exercise classes and promotes outdoor activities such as fishing trips, Senior Olympics and picnics, as well as holiday parties.
Considerations
Sometimes nursing homes can appear too institutional for prospective residents and their families. Instead, assisted living homes provide personal settings where grandchildren can visit and play in the backyard during visits and families can enjoy meals served at an intimate dining room table. These facilities can help with many of the daily functions offered at nursing homes and sometimes offer 24-hour service for medical needs.
Misconceptions
Traditionally, all nursing homes have scheduled times for waking, sharing meals, participating in activities and turning in at night. During the day residents can enjoy the company of visitors, interact with other residents or just relax in the comfort of their rooms. While this is a successful routine for many facilities, some nursing homes embrace resident-directed care, where each individual sets his own schedule for all activities.
Warning
Space in nursing homes is limited and placement could take up to 60 days or more. To make sure you or your loved one has housing available in a timely manner, be sure to visit and apply early. Civil rights laws dictate that nursing homes cannot discriminate based on race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex or disability.
