Nursing Homes near Saint Louis, MO

If the time has come to place a loved one in a nursing home, then St. Louis, Missouri has plenty of options to make the transition easier. There are several different facilities available in the area, and each one offers something different than the other ones. It simply becomes a matter of choosing the best one to meet your loved one's needs. Despite it being a difficult subject, it benefits families to sit down and discuss the matter early to get an idea of what aging seniors expect from a nursing home. Armed with their personal preferences, it makes finding a suitable home much easier.

Living in St. Louis

The city was claimed in the name of France, and named after Louis IX. Part of it was ceded to Spain after the Seven Year War, and then part to Great Britain. The land then became part of Spanish Louisiana until 1802, when the United States gained acquired the land with the Louisiana Purchase. Although there are some noteworthy attractions in St. Louis, it does not have the same art and cultural presence as many of the other big cities in the United States. That limits the events available to nursing home residents, and makes inside activities more important.

First Steps

When you realize you need help caring for your loved one, before you even begin searching for facilities, write out your must-haves. This is a list of items that any facility you consider must have. 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 facility, it's easier to weed out the ones you don't want. 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, or are there signs of abuse and neglect? 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. Try to avoid causing them anxiety about their new home.

The Costs of Nursing Homes

The good news is that St. Louis is less expensive than larger cities, so the cost of a nursing home should fall in the average price range of about $50,000 per year. If you and your family plan ahead, you can purchase long-term care insurance that covers the cost of nursing homes so you don't have to worry about the financial piece of it. 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.

How to Handle the Transition

Once you find your loved one's new community, getting everything ready to move can be an emotional roller coaster. You may have to make tough decisions, but with a little patience and finesse, you can make it through. The first thing you and your loved one should do is discuss which belongings they want to keep and which they want to let go of, give away, or put in storage. Once you determine what they wish to take, it might be easier to hire someone to help pack their belongings. That option reduces the time it takes to pack, and it reduces stress to you and your loved one.

After packing, the next step is moving and unpacking. Again, hired help is a great way to make the process easy and less emotional. However, if you do choose to do these things yourself, make sure you have plenty of help. If you try to do it by yourself, on top of your other responsibilities, you'll burn yourself out. Hire movers to move your loved one's belongings, but try to have family members help unpack. This gives your loved one a chance to see they are still valued by their family, and it gives you a chance to release your guilt.

Moving your loved ones to a nursing home is an emotional process, and choosing the right facility may be the easiest part. You can overcome the stress of moving by hiring professional movers, though. If you find the right community within St. Louis, you can help your loved one cope with the changes by introducing new people and activities into their life.