Nursing Homes near Oakland, CA

Nursing Homes in Oakland, California

For seniors, moving into a nursing home can either be a daring adventure or the scariest thing they'll do in their lives. The idea of nursing home care may not appeal to some seniors, probably because they resent losing their independence, but families who spend time talking about the benefits and finding the right home to suit their loved one's personality will find that their loved one may warm up to the idea sooner than they think. Fortunately, Oakland is a large city, and it has a number of nursing homes to choose from.

More about Oakland

Oakland is one of the most ethnically diverse major cities in the country, in large part because of the influx of immigrants in the 20th century and the African-American war-industry workers who relocated from the south in the 1940's. It has become a tourist destination thanks to its growing number of sophisticated restaurants, bars, music venues, and nightlife appeal. It also has the most movie theaters, theater companies, and museums per square mile than any other state in the U.S. The city's weather is a Mediterranean climate with an average of 260 sunny days a year, which makes it perfect weather for those looking to retire in the area.

The Importance of Selling the Benefits

If you think about it, sales and convincing a loved one that a nursing home is right for them have a lot in common. The first thing you have to do is assess their needs. For your loved one, that means determining when it's time to move them into a nursing home, and what they need from a nursing home. Next, you have to overcome their objections. Your loved one will probably have several reasons they don't want to move into a nursing home. One of the primary reasons given from those who object to community living is that they don't want to be institutionalized. This objection is easy to overcome if you talk up the benefits. Many nursing homes today range from cozy, homelike environments to the posh luxury of high-end hotels and cruises - neither of which has an institutional feel. Finally, you have to close the sale. When it comes to nursing homes, if you discovered their needs and overcame their objections, the next step is to show them the home they'll be getting. Take them on a tour of your top choices, and let them be involved in the decision-making process. This will help them accept the idea, and they can see first hand that nursing homes aren't as bad as they thought.

Paying for Nursing Home Care

Once you sell your loved one on the idea of living in a nursing home, you need to start thinking about how to pay for it. On average, the annual cost of nursing home care is $50,000, depending on location and amenities. However, in parts of the country where the cost of living is higher, the cost of nursing homes is also higher. Oakland is one of the most expensive cities in California, which means families looking to retire and seek nursing home care in the area will have to pay more for it. However, there are some options to help pay for a nursing home. There are long-term care insurance options, and government programs, Medicaid and Medicare. Not all nursing homes accept those options, so it's important for families to find out what the payment options are from the nursing home. The program director can help families figure out their payment options, as well.

Living in a nursing home doesn't have to be something that makes your loved one uncomfortable. By finding out what your loved one needs, you can find a nursing home that suits them. They will have an active social life, top quality medical services on hand, and help with their daily activities. They may find that they enjoy community living more than they did living on their own.