Nursing Homes near Billings, MT

Nursing Homes in Billings, Montana

The fastest growing age group in the United States is the 70 and up group, which means the number of people entering nursing homes each year is also on the rise. Of course, not all seniors are excited by the prospect of entering a nursing home, so the decision to move a loved one to a nursing home can be difficult and emotional. It's important for them to know that moving to a nursing home can be a good thing. The reality is that as people age, certain tasks become difficult to manage without help. A nursing home is the best place to receive that help when families can't provide it. Fortunately, Billings has a lot of options to choose from.

Living in Billings

Billings is the only city in Montana to surpass 100,000 people, and because of its rapid growth and strong economy, most of the economic downturn from 2008-2012 skipped over the city. It also skipped the housing bust that crippled much of the nation. The area is a retail mecca and hotel hot spot within a five-state region. Billings hosts a variety of conventions, concerts, sporting events, and other rallies, as well. One of the biggest attractions of Montana is the great outdoors. Residents and visitors can go hiking, biking, rock climbing, fishing, skiing, or skate in the skate park. It's a great place to visit, and for those looking to retire, there are plenty of scenic views and outdoor options.

Deciding When It's Time

As seniors age, their daily activities become difficult to manage. These include basic activities such as bathing, toileting, and dressing. Over time, their ability to perform these functions without significant help diminishes, and when that happens, their need for full-time care becomes apparent. Families who notice their loved ones struggling should consider their options and discuss nursing home care. It's always helpful to keep your loved one's preferences in mind, but remember that no one likes the idea of losing their independence. Many seniors would prefer to keep living as they are, but that may not be in their best interest.

Find the Right Facility

Finding the right facility for your loved one is important for an easy transition. First, find out what your loved one wants in a nursing home, and make a list of what you'd like the home to have, as well. Next, research nursing homes to find one that meets both lists, if possible. Some things you might consider include location, safety features, varied menus with healthy, great-tasting foods, access to drinking water, regular activities, personal medical care, a nice facility, and so on. Once you've found some nursing homes that meet the requirements, the next step is to visit them and get a feel for the place in person. As the healthcare industry has turned to more patient-focused care, nursing homes have also become more focused on their residents. When you walk into a nursing home facility, you should get a good feeling about the place.

Paying for Care

Unless your loved one started saving for nursing home care at an early age, they may not have enough money in savings to cover the costs. Likewise, it's not a good idea for you to go into debt to pay for care, either. So, when you're looking at costs upwards of $50,000 per year, what do you do? There are a couple options available for families. The first is long-term care insurance. Each state has its own requirements for this type of insurance, so it's beneficial to look into it early on. However, the insurance should cover most, if not all, of the costs of nursing homes. The second option is to look into government programs such as Medicare and Medicaid, assuming the nursing home you chose accepts those programs, some do not. This may or may not cover the full cost of nursing home care, but it could help you ensure not everything comes out-of-pocket.

Nursing home care may be a sensitive subject, but it's one that you should talk about with your loved ones as early as possible. Preparing ahead of time can make the move and transition easier, and it gives your loved one enough time to come to terms with living in a nursing home. For those who are fiercely independent, the idea of someone taking care of them is repellent. Making the right decision for them is sometimes difficult, but you can smooth it over by finding the right home for them.