Nursing Homes near Greenville, SC

Nursing Homes in Greenville, South Carolina

Having the discussion about nursing home care with your aging loved ones can be a difficult conversation, but it's one that's best to have as early as possible. Once your family is on the same page, it's easier to make decisions that are in your senior's best interest. It also helps ensure the transition from living an independent life to living in a nursing home goes more smoothly. Aside from the emotional concerns such discussions can bring up, it's also important for families to consider how they will pay for the care, as well. For those in the Greenville, South Carolina area, there are plenty of nursing homes to choose from, which makes the search a little easier to take.

Living in Greenville

Greenville is one of the fastest growing cities in South Carolina thanks to a strong economy and job prospects. Despite its growth with younger residents, the city still has a lot to offer its senior community. Greenville's theaters and event venues host major concerts regularly, and there are four independent theaters that present plays several times a year. Falls Park on the Reedy is a major attraction in Greenville as it features gardens and several waterfalls. It's not uncommon to see a picnic or two on warm summer days. Social dancing is a pretty big thing, as well. Upstate Swing puts on a weekly swing dance event that attracts hundreds of people each week. There are other troupe companies that put on weekly and monthly dances, and all of them thrive with the local residents. Dance is a great way for seniors to stay active and social, and most of the community participates, so it's a great family activity, as well.

First Steps

When you realize you need help caring for your loved one, before you even begin searching for homes, write out what you and your loved one require in a nursing home. This might include a gated community, individual living spaces, whole foods specific to your loved one's diet, or even certain activities. Once you know what you want in a home, it's easier to weed out the ones you don't want. You can get referrals from friends and doctors, or you can start your search online. Either way, it gives you a preliminary idea of what to expect. As you continue to research nursing homes, you can use your list of requirements to help narrow down your options. When you find a place where your loved one feels safe and welcomed, but still has some of their independence, then you will both have peace of mind that you made the right decision. Meet with the directors of the nursing home and get a sense of how things operate. Watch the residents as you look around. Do they seem happy and healthy? If the residents are unhappy, it's a sign that the nursing home isn't the right place for your family. Also, take your loved one's feelings into consideration. If they absolutely hate a place, regardless of what you think, it might be better to seek another facility.

The Costs of Nursing Homes

Greenville is situated halfway between Atlanta, Georgia and Charlotte, North Carolina, and while it isn't as expensive to live in Greenville as either Atlanta or Charlotte, it's still more expensive than you might expect. The cost of a nursing home in the area should fall in the average price range of $50,000 to $75,000 per year. If you and your family plan ahead, you can purchase long-term care insurance to cover the cost of a nursing home so you don't have to worry about the financial piece of it. In some cases, it may be necessary to seek out Medicare or Medicaid, although South Carolina has its own rules about that so it's best to look into it early. Statistically, most people burn through their savings within six months of placing a loved one in a nursing home. It's better to have insurance cover the costs when possible.

Moving your loved ones to a nursing home is an emotional process, and choosing the right facility may be the easiest part. Sometimes finding a way to pay for a nursing home is the most stressful part. To help families eliminate stress during an emotional time, industry experts recommend discussing care needs early so that everyone is on the same page. This gives families time to research their options and put actions in place to pay for nursing home care.