Nursing Homes near Kenosha, WI

Nursing Homes in Kenosha, Wisconsin

One of the fastest growing age groups in the United States is the 70 and over bracket. That means there is a significant number of people who will need some sort of assistance as they continue to age, and not all families are able to provide it for themselves. When that happens, there is another option. The health care industry has drastically improved its care practices thanks to wellness programs and other alternative approaches to medicine. Nursing homes have also changed the way they care for their residents, making it more resident-focused, and developing a staff that is caring and compassionate. When your loved one reaches the point where they need assistance, a nursing home can give them the care and attention they need, and it even has the added benefit of providing an active social life, as well.

All About Kenosha

Kenosha sits on Lake Michigan, which offers residents stunning views in the summer, and ice skating in the winter. It's a small town with a lot of big city offerings to those who live there. Kenosha is considered a bedroom community because most of the city commutes to either Milwaukee or Chicago for work. Poverty in the area is much lower than the state average, while the median income is much higher. However, the tourism industry is also growing in the area, as well. Kenosha offers plenty of museums, farmer's markets, and shopping and dining experiences with great views. But, one of the largest draws for tourists is the Jelly Belly Visitor store and factory, as well as the Mars Cheese Castle with Wisconsin-related products. Cheese and jelly beans have proved to be big business for Kenosha and its residents. If you have a loved one looking to move into a nursing home, this is a good city for it.

What You Should Know

A large part of what makes seniors uncomfortable with nursing homes is the fact that they lose some of their independence. It helps you to know what objections your loved one has before you start researching facilities so you can address them when you visit each one. When the time comes to visit a nursing home, there are several questions you should ask. First, you should ask if the community is secure. Safety is important to the elderly, especially when they're in an unfamiliar place. Fortunately, Kenosha is one of the safest cities in the nation. The most residents will have to be concerned with is the weather, which nursing home in Wisconsin prepare for ahead of time. Next, ask what type of training the staff has, and how long they have worked in their field. Another important piece of information is the staff-to-patient ratio. You want to know this for both daytime hours, and night hours. Find out what medical services are available, and how often families are updated about their loved one's well-being. Finally, ask what kind of alternative medicines they facility uses, if any. Once you have an answer to these questions, you can compare the facilities to one another.

Paying for a Nursing Home

The average cost for a nursing home is about $50,000 a year. Wisconsin's cost of living is about average in the nation, so nursing homes in Kenosha shouldn't cost too much more than the average. With that in mind, you'll need to figure out the best way to pay for nursing home care. As mentioned before, you should have long-term care insurance, which should cover the cost of a nursing home, or at least a portion of it. Make sure you look into a policy well before you make the decision to move your loved one to the nursing home because some of them have time restrictions on them. If the insurance is not an option, you can also look into Medicare and Medicaid, but they have their own set of restrictions, so it's better to start early and prepare.

Deciding that a nursing home is the next step for a loved one is not an easy choice to make. Begin your search by researching nursing homes online. Be prepared to ask questions about the facility and how it treats its residents. You must be comfortable with the facility, and so should your loved one. Be sure that you choose a place that meets all of your requirements, and that includes outdoor activities for its residents. Kenosha has plenty to offer its residents and tourists, and for those looking for more, both Milwaukee and Chicago are just a short drive away.