Nursing Homes near Greeley, CO

Nursing Homes in Greeley, Colorado

According to health care statistics, the average age of nursing home residents is 65 and over. The same studies also show that the fastest growing age group is the 70 and over group. That means more people are entering nursing homes each year, and they're living longer. When the time comes for your loved one to move to a nursing home, it's important to find one that suits their personality as it's likely they will be there for several years. The good news is that Greeley has a wide selection of nursing homes for families to choose from, and seniors can find everything they want from spacious apartments to posh luxuries such as golf courses and nature trails on the grounds.

Living in Greeley

The city was originally founded as Union Colony, meant as an experimental utopian society, which didn't work out. It was eventually renamed to Greeley, after Horace Greeley, editor of the New-York Tribune. The city has its own creative district where residents can find art exhibits, museums, theaters, and more. There are also plenty of places to shop, dine, and enjoy the beautiful outdoors of Colorado. Greeley has a relaxing quality that attracts those seeking a quieter retirement to the city.

Deciding When It's Time

As your loved one continues to age, they may experience difficulty managing their own daily activities such as toileting, bathing, and dressing. In addition, they may find cooking, cleaning, and laundry to be challenging and exhausting. When that happens, it's time to decide what the next step will be. Families have the option of taking their loved one in themselves, or of placing them in a nursing home. The advantage of nursing homes is that your loved one has access to help 24/7, and if they have any medical concerns, a qualified staff member will be available to address those needs. That may not be possible if they live at home with you. And, despite the fact that no one wants to lose their independence, living on their own when they need help may not be in your loved one's best interest. It may be time to consider nursing home care at the first sign that your loved one needs more assistance, especially if it's more than you can reasonably provide.

Find the Right Facility

Your loved one may fight you on the idea of living in a nursing home, but if you find the right facility, you can help smooth out the transition for them. The first step is to find out what your loved one wants in a nursing home. Find out what their objections are, and assure them you can help find a home that provides them a safe, happy living environment. Some objections you might run across include that your loved one doesn't want to be institutionalized, they don't want to lose their independence, and they don't want to live with a stranger. In that case, look for nursing homes that feel more like an apartment and offer comfortable living spaces, that offer seniors a chance to make some decisions for themselves, and that does not require seniors to have roommates. Working with these concerns will help your loved one feel more comfortable about the move.

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, you have a couple of options to consider. 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.

Your loved one may disagree with the notion that they need a nursing home at first, but it's usually because they have a negative perception of nursing homes. The best way to overcome that and help them adjust is to reassure them that you'll find a home which suits them, and that they have a say in what they want from a nursing home. Spend some time researching the homes in your area before making a decision to ensure both you and your loved one are satisfied with the results. It will leave both of you feeling happy about the decision, and ease the emotional tension that everyone feels when the subject of nursing homes is brought up.