Nursing Homes near Houston, TX

If your loved ones have reached the point where they need more care than you or they can reasonably provide, then a nursing home is a good option. Once families make the decision to go the nursing home route, the only thing that remains is finding the best one to suit their loved ones' needs.

About Houston

Two entrepreneurial brothers purchased over 6,600 acres of land to found a city, and they decided to name it after General Sam Houston. By 1860, Houston became the commercial hub for the export of cotton, and by 1890, it became the railroad center of Texas. Following the devastating hurricane of 1900, plans to make Houston a viable deep-water port accelerated, and while preparations for the port were under way, the discovery of oil opened the Texas petroleum industry. The city grew in time with its industrial efforts, and city leaders knew they had to expand. After World War II, areas outside of Houston proper were annexed into the city, which more than doubled the city's size. The population doubled again in 1950 with the availability of air conditioning, which prompted many companies to relocate to Houston. The economic climate in Houston was diverse and booming, with claims to several industries such as shipping, space, and oil.

In modern times, Houston is the fourth largest city in population, falling behind the likes of New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Houston has plenty of nursing homes in the area for those who love Houston, or were born and raised there. The cultural diversity is a plus, and the fact that art and history are a large part of the city's makeup adds some benefits to the city, but when it comes to choosing a nursing home, location is a consideration. Be sure that your loved one likes the area before deciding on a nursing home there.

Choosing the Right Facility

Houston offers a culturally diverse atmosphere with a lot of options in the way of museums and theaters. You always want to keep your loved one's personal preferences in mind, but nursing homes that offer city outings and tours can be of interest to many seniors. Create a list of nursing homes with the basic qualities you and your loved ones like, and then find out the specifics in person. Talk to the program director about the staff. How were they trained, what's the patient to staff ratio, do they genuinely care about the residents or is it just a paycheck to them? Once you feel good about the staff, figure out if the facility's policies resonate with you. Do you feel they are too strict, or maybe they aren't strict enough? Also, determine what level of care your loved one will receive, and how often you will receive updates. Finally, ensure the facility you choose has plenty of amenities and activities to keep your loved one active.

Amenities and Activities

The amenities and activities available to residents of a nursing home are important. They keep the residents engaged in life by building a community for them. Many residents come to think of the other residents as a second family. A good nursing home offers a wide selection of options including restaurant-style dining, social and recreational activities, landscaped grounds, a beauty salon or barber shop, game room, wireless internet, library, laundry, and housekeeping. For those facilities located in Houston, there are also shopping areas, recreational centers, parks, museums, galleries, and performance arts and sports venues. Some other options you might consider are rooming preferences. Many nursing homes require residents to double up with other residents in a roommate situation. If your loved one is used to living alone, this might cause some anxiety. Find out what your loved one's preference is, and then look for facilities that can match that preference.

Aging loved ones already have enough to worry about, they don't need to worry about the level of care they will receive from a nursing home, too. It is important to choose one that makes both you and your loved one comfortable, but at the same time offers the best care available. Nursing homes should be an accepting, supportive community with compassionate staff and managers. Residents should be happy and relatively healthy, depending on their individual circumstances. There shouldn't be signs of neglect or abuse. The best way to discover what type of nursing home you're dealing with is to visit the facility and speak to the staff and residents.