<p>It just gets you into a nicer place. The place where my mom is going is amazing. It’s on the water, they have their own boat they take residents out on in the summer, a hair/nail salon, 24 hour medical care - including xrays and cat scans, she can do pt there, several dining options, a small gift shop, tons of activities. The place is beautiful with valet parking for guests and residents shuttle busses to stores and theater. Manicured gardens. There are staff everywhere, cameras in common areas, and any possible thing you can think of that seniors need is there. It pays for peace of mind. </p>
<p>In the area where my mother lives, there aren’t many options (which is odd since this is a major metropolitan area). Her choices were limited to 2 expensive full service continuing care communities or several no entry fee/no amenities places. The latter were pretty depressing. Like eyemamom said, we’re paying for peace of mind. My parents had considered this same community several years ago when my dad started to decline. However, they each required different levels of care. One would have been in independent living and one would have been in skilled nursing. It was extremely expensive. It was far cheaper to keep dad at home and have 24 hour care. </p>
<p>The couple thing has definitely not been worked out well at all. We juggled and begged and got my folks into a really nice independent living apartment even though mom needed nursing home level care, and then paid for aides to stay with her 16-24 hours a day. It was really expensive, but dad refused to be separated from her and he needed less responsibility for maintaining a house and access to at least one good meal a day. Mom didn’t live all that long, but it was still pricey.</p>
<p>Continuing care communities are relatively new (as in about 40 years old I’m guessing?) Same with “retirement” communities. Anyone interested in starting a separate thread on brainstorming what we’d like for our older years? I really like the idea called “village movement”, for example: <a href=“http://www.aging.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageID=2490”>http://www.aging.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageID=2490</a> </p>
<p>My mom’s place is in a CCC. She is in an IL apartment, up the hill there are AL units (studios) as well as a nursing home. There were 2 options - a buy-in with lower monthly rent, or simply monthly rent. Rent includes dinner every day. There is a cafe/lounge near the lobby with lunch and snacks (extra cost). There is a pool and exercise room as well as the usual activities and amenities. Only monthly cleaning and you do your own laundry. Rents start around $3,000 for an updated one BR with kitchen. She was paying over $1,200 for a nearby 2BR apt. </p>
<p>My in-laws are in AL. 3 meals per day, pool, exercise room, beautiful facility, weekly cleaning and laundry. Substantially more per month for a 2BR and parking for one car is additional. Different levels of care available, from independent/meals only, to helping with meds, to helping with daily living. Every item adds cost. </p>
<p>Mom is doing better, but she has a ways to go. She is eating about half of her dinners in the dining room. My older daughter was over today helping her make decisions on art for the walls. The hardest thing is getting rid of all the stuff. She wants to keep more than she has room for, and then complains about disorder. Participating in activities is the next hurdle. </p>
<p>My parents are at a CCRC. Instead of an upfront fee, they bought their condo. I am willing to sell it for a loss when the time comes. They get 1 meal a day, weekly maid service who changes the bed and washes the sheets, and all maintenance inside and out. They will even change light bulbs. </p>
<p>Surfcity, there is no specific “level of care” at a CCRC as most are expected to be able to live independently when they move in. Some residents walk 6 miles a day and work full-time. My folks are physically healthy but with early dementia. </p>
<p>Old And Overmedicated: The Real Drug Problem In Nursing Homes
<a href=“Old And Overmedicated: The Real Drug Problem In Nursing Homes : Shots - Health News : NPR”>Old And Overmedicated: The Real Drug Problem In Nursing Homes : Shots - Health News : NPR;
<p>Antipsychotics in the elderly can cause diabetes and another unfortunate side effect - death.</p>
<p>This medication subject is near and dear. It is not only that every med has some type of side effects, with a cost/benefit analysis to be done, but also the interaction between medications can be particularly profound in the elderly. Additionally, while many anti-psychotics are known to have a sedating effect, some have potential side effects of restlessness and involuntary motor movements. I have seen prescribing doctors up the dose in some cases, thinking more sedation was needed, when they were only increasing perilous side effects. </p>
<p>If an acute change in behavior, sleep, demeanor or cognition occurs, do look into medication changes or additions, as well as sometimes “stealth” culprits like UTIs. Without controlling for variables, it is hard to know the source of problems. My non-demented mother was unglued by asymptomatic UTIs and started hallucinating after her shingles were treated with 3 new to her “big gun” medications simultaneously on an outpatient basis (at a renowned geriatric center where she was known). This is where a word from the family can make a huge difference. If indicated, procure a geriatric pharmacology (or psychopharmacology) consult from an expert. </p>
<p>I’ve said that my bff’s aged mom was on this med for this and that one to counterbalance the first. It ended up as a long list. She researched and considered, then weaned her off all but the most rational choices (two, I think) and her alertness and physical comfort improved almost immediately This was about 10 years ago, her mother has since declined into total dementia. But for several years, the improvement made a huge difference for all. </p>
<p>In most cases, doctors do the best they can and try to follow protocols. That doesn’t preclude re-examining and fine tuning. </p>
<p>I think that living in an institutional setting like a nursing home makes for less tolerance for acting out, being loud, not sleeping during the night, toileting issues, etc. and that leads to the institution seeking pharmaceutical solutions for noncompliant behavior For that reason (and many others), even though it can be a lot more expensive and a lot more work for the parent-caring-for-the-parent to manage round-the-clock help, if it’s possible for the elderly person to stay home, it may be a more compassionate choice. I believe it was for my dad and stepmother. Of course I realize that in many, many situations, it’s just impossible for that to take place, and an imperfect institutional solution is probably better than an imperfect home care solution.</p>
<p>In my case , without meds my mother would be in a more restictive environment like a nursing home locked unit. The meds have allowed her to live in an assisted living not locked unit, enjoy interactions, make new friends, be much less paranoid of others, have visitors and participate and thrive much more than she did at home alone. People are more tolerant of being around her and interacting with her. I realize this is just one person but this is an example of how helpful they can be in the right circumstances. I do fully expect a gradual downhill course, but for now it is appropriate.</p>
<p>My guess is you really don’t want to anyone in a nursing home unless their mental faculties are severely diminished. </p>
<p>Another NPR story about patients at nursing homes receiving antipsychotic meds.</p>
<p>It includes a search box to see what the history of this practice is at a huge number of NHs in the U.S.
<a href=“Nursing Homes Rarely Penalized For Oversedating Patients : Shots - Health News : NPR”>Nursing Homes Rarely Penalized For Oversedating Patients : Shots - Health News : NPR;
<p>I don’t want to pick on one state, because the situation is dire everywhere, but over 1 in 4 nursing home residents in Texas are being given anti-psychotics?!</p>
<p>RMH-great description about how proper meds can enhance quality of life. Huge plus when done right. Just a piece of the puzzle to monitor as it is often an easy fix if a cause of problems. </p>
<p>There are very high quality nursing homes, likely with some areas having more than others. These facilities focus on optimizing residents quality of life, and over-medicating is not typical. Takes research to find the best local places. My father 's SNF is compassionate and sophisticated. They value resident and family input. It meets his medical/cognitive needs, as well as facilitates his interest in socialization. Feel like he won the elder care lottery. </p>
<p>Agree that if one doesn’t need the care, there are many other alternatives that would be a better fit. Despite the need for evaluating options carefully , NHs can offer elders many benefits.</p>
<p>This just popped up on my FB newsfeed and I thought about this thread. <a href=“This Nursing Home Calms Troubling Behavior Without Risky Drugs : Shots - Health News : NPR”>This Nursing Home Calms Troubling Behavior Without Risky Drugs : Shots - Health News : NPR;
<p>That was a really good article, walkinghome. I was shocked at the variance in psychiatric drug usage rates in the various nursing homes in my town. </p>
<p>I urge everyone posting on this thread to read Roz Chast’s "Can’t we talk about something more “PLEASANT?” She is one of my favorite New Yorker cartoonists and she has brilliantly portrayed everything we are all going through with our aging parents.</p>
<p>Yes, it’s a great book. I gave several to friends stuck in the parentshelpingtheparents situation.</p>