NY Times: Navigating a World of ‘Unthinkable’ Nursing Homes

Though roughly 1.4 million Americans are living in nursing homes today, this segment of senior housing isn’t exactly attractive to the average person, The New York Times writes in a recent article

In fact, nursing homes have developed a bad reputation as “smelly, indifferent places where people go to die,” according to the article, “Nursing Home Unthinkable? Be Prepared in Case It’s Inevitable.”

So finding a suitable place for an aging relative or friend, and for those who plan to visit, requires considerable preparation — and senior housing should take note. 

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The New York Times suggests nursing homes be evaluated based on price, location, ratings and specialized services. 

Nursing home care is costly — from $10,000 to $15,000 a month when paid for privately — and Medicare doesn’t pay for long-term nursing home care. 

And finding a conveniently located home is just as important.

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Still, a nursing home in the right location and the right price range might have pitfalls. The Times recommends checking the government’s report card at NursingHomeCare.com can help identify some pros and cons. 

Finally, nursing homes should be evaluated based on specialized services they offer, such as dementia programs or bilingual staff members. 

Read the full New York Times story here

Written by Emily Study

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