Nursing Homes (SNF)

Read how this family caregiver's advice differs from the official guidance from the nursing home staff. Transitioning to nursing home care is challenging for everyone involved.

If you’re struggling with nursing home visits, it’s important to identify what’s holding you back so you can find ways to move past these factors and give your loved one the attention and support they deserve.

Families often worry about falls, illness and care quality when their loved ones move into a skilled nursing facility. Familiarizing yourself with the various regulations and security measures used in nursing homes will help give you added peace of mind.

Giving your mother’s belongings to others in the family after she goes into a nursing home is a kind and loving gesture.

Nursing homes of the past were known as institution-like environments, where people went to die. Today's nursing homes have been modernized and are comfortable home-like settings with a movement toward person-centerd care.

Chemical restraints are no longer the norm in nursing homes, but stories of overmedication of the elderly persist. Drugs may be necessary to improve a resident’s quality of life, but close monitoring is the only way to tell if a facility is overdoing it.

One of the easier ways to check use of medication is to check how frequently medications are refilled.

Medicaid considers a senior’s primary residence an exempt asset in most cases, but owning a home comes with hefty ongoing costs. If an elder has limited income and assets, how do their property taxes, insurance premiums and utility bills get paid?

Skilled nursing facilities have historically cared for only the oldest seniors, but long-term care demographics are shifting. As the age range of residents broadens, nursing homes are adjusting to meet the needs and interests of many generations.

What's a caregiver to do if they aren't happy with the care their elderly seniors are receiving at an assisted living facility, nursing home or other senior care facility?

There is a great deal of misinformation and many misconceptions about skilled nursing facilities. Your research before admission and frequent visits with your loved one once moved in should dispel long-held myths about nursing home care.

Home care and community care each offer different benefits and services. Understand home care versus community care and learn what’s right for you.

There are personal, professional, ethical and legal aspects to consider when deciding whether to use so-called “granny cams” to monitor the care seniors receive in their own homes and in long-term care facilities.

A caregiver shares his journey in finding the right skilled nursing facility for his mother, including steps to take before and after placement as well as the hard lessons he learned throughout the process.

When faced with the prospect of moving to a senior living community, aging loved ones make their objections very clear to family and friends. Experts share how to respond to the most common excuses seniors use to avoid discussing assisted living.

After moving to senior living, family caregivers are often surprised to find their once-social parents refusing to participate in activities and isolating themselves from other residents. Here are some ways to help ease the transition into senior housing.

Caregiving doesn’t end once a senior has moved to a long-term care facility. Now it’s up to you to be their advocate, visit regularly and follow up to determine if the senior living facility you chose lives up to your expectations.

Medicaid isn’t in the business of “taking” seniors’ homes. But when a nursing home resident on Medicaid dies, the state may seek repayment by filing a claim against their estate, which usually includes exempt assets like their primary residence.

As Alzheimer's disease progresses, your loved one may need more care than you can provide. Your options range from home health care and adult day care, to assisted living and nursing homes with specialized Alzheimer's care units.

When choosing senior housing and elder care, there are many options. These tips will help you decide which options are best suited to meet the care needs of your aging parent.