Nursing Homes near Tuscaloosa, AL

Nursing Homes in Tuscaloosa, Alabama

The idea of moving to a nursing home is often abhorrent to a senior, but the reality is that it can be a great experience for your loved one. Studies show that many seniors report feel enthusiastic about their lives after moving into a nursing home. Apart from the care and assistance they receive, they also have a social network of their peers available to them. Not only does this help create activities for them to participate in, but it also gives them someone to talk to about the things they're going through. Nursing homes in Tuscaloosa give seniors the opportunity to expand their quality of living while still giving them the care they need.

A Look at Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa is the fifth largest city in Alabama, and it was named after the chieftain of a Muskogean-speaking people. It actually served as Alabama's capital city from 1826 to 1846. It is the regional epicenter for industry, commerce, healthcare and education in West Alabama, and Mercedes-Benz even built its first automotive assembly plant in North America in Tuscaloosa. However, the University of Alabama is still the dominant economic and cultural engine in the city. Tuscaloosa has received acclaim through its success in sports, and city leaders even adopted the moniker "The City of Champions" after the Alabama Crimson Tide football team won the BCS National Championship games in 2010, 2012, and 2013. Tuscaloosa also hosted the USA Olympic Triathlon trials for the Beijing Games. It is a diverse city with attractions for both the young and the old, which means there are plenty of choices when it comes to home care and other assisted living options.

Location

One of your primary considerations for a nursing home should be its location. First, it should be centrally located to as many family members as possible. Family visits are important to a senior's recovery from illness, and to help them feel secure during their transition, so families need to plan on visits. In addition, you want to ensure that the nursing home is located in a safe neighborhood. There aren't too many crimes committed against nursing homes, but it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Nursing Home Environment

In addition to location, you should also consider the environment of the nursing home. If the other residents are happy, it's likely that your loved one will be happy, as well. However, if the other residents seem miserable, depressed, and lack attention, then perhaps it's better to look at other homes. You want to find one that really connects with your loved one, and if other residents are unhappy, your loved one will most likely be unhappy there, too.

Medical Care

Another important feature of nursing homes is the medical care that seniors receive. Most homes have registered nurses on staff to help administer medication and take care of most of your loved one's medical needs. In the event that a resident needs to be moved to a hospital, it helps to know how they will be transported, and when the family will be notified. If a home's policy on this does not resonate with you and your loved one, consider checking out another one. However, nursing homes are resident-focused, and the staff genuinely wants to care for their patients, so hopefully, this one will not be an issue for you.

Paying for Nursing Home Care

The financial aspect of nursing home care is usually the most stressful for families, and that's because it's often more expensive than families realize. You should know that the average cost of nursing home care is $50,000 or more, depending on location and amenities. For those families who do not plan ahead, that's a huge chunk of change that some may not be able to afford. However, there are payment options available, and the sooner you plan ahead, the better off you'll be. The first option is long-term care insurance. Some insurance plans have time limits, meaning you need to have it for a certain period before you can actually use it, so that's why it's important to start early. Another option families have is Medicare and Medicaid. However, these also have restrictions, so you should look into these early, as well.

Tuscaloosa has several nursing homes in the surrounding area, which means families have options. Although nursing homes have moved to a more resident-focused atmosphere, that doesn't mean that every one will feel right to you and your loved one. That's why it's important to know what you want from a nursing home before you start your search, because it will help you narrow your options from there. Either way, finding the right home helps your loved one transition to their new life, and it gives you peace of mind about their well-being.