Nursing Homes near Saginaw, MI

Nursing Homes in Saginaw, Michigan

Making the decision to move a beloved member of the family to a nursing home is an emotional one. There are many factors that go into the decision, but the bottom line is about finding the right care for aging parents and grandparents. Once the family makes the decision to place a loved one in a nursing home, there are four principles to keep in mind. First, the ideal nursing home should be conveniently located to as many family members as possible. Second, it should provide the highest possible care for all medical conditions. Third, it should provide seniors with a welcoming, supportive environment. And fourth, the cost should be manageable and accept payments from insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and savings.

Living in Saginaw

Saginaw got its start as a lumber community in the 18th century, and the city prospered under that industry. In the 19th and 20th century, Saginaw expanded into the industrial age, and became a place for several manufacturing plants. Unfortunately, in the late 20th century, many of those plants closed, which led to an increase in unemployment. When the work dried up in the city, people began moving out of town and Saginaw saw a decrease in its population. Now the economy focuses on innovation, clean energy, and continued manufacturing exports. With the return of the population in the late 20th century, the city has redeveloped its attractions around town. Most of the entertainment can be found in the downtown area, including the Children's Zoo, The Dow Event Center, and the restored Temple Theatre. Saginaw has a hockey league and an indoor football team, as well as a roster of local arts organizations. There are plenty of attractions in the area for seniors looking to retire in the area.

Picking the Right Nursing Home

Saginaw may not be a big city by many people's standards, but that doesn't mean families looking for a nursing home don't have some options. Start by researching the available information online to create a list of viable options, and then visit each one to narrow down your list. When you visit, you should make sure that you ask the difficult questions and get a good feel for how the nursing home is run. For example, are residents allowed to smoke? Are there restricted visiting hours? Can residents have individual rooms, or does the facility require roommates? If roommates are required, can the seniors pick their own roommates, and so on. Asking the hard questions gives you an idea of what the facility is like, and how management reacts to those questions is even more telling. You should also pay attention to how the residents react to the staff, and the manner in which the staff interacts with the residents.

What to Expect

When you decide on a nursing home, there are some things you should expect. First, your loved one will have to downsize their belongings, unless they've been living in an apartment already. This can be an emotional process, so be patient and compassionate as your loved one struggles through this step. Once they get settled in the nursing home, you can expect the staff to assist your loved one in any way they need. This includes daily activities such as bathing and dressing, laundry, and eating. The staff also ensures the residents take their medications, and they provide an active social environment to keep seniors engaged.

Paying for Nursing Home Care

It is important for families to have a realistic idea of what nursing home care costs. The average annual cost is $50,000, and rising, depending on location, amenities, and other choices the family makes. That is an overwhelming amount of money for many families, especially those who haven't planned for it. Families with aging parents and grandparents should look into long-term care insurance, which often covers the cost of nursing homes. Those who attempt to pay out-of-pocket tend to burn through their savings within six months of entering the nursing home, which means the senior must move out. Eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid varies by state, so that's another option families should look into, as well.

The Nursing Home Option

Assuming that the financial end of the arrangement is all worked out, finding the right nursing home can be a good thing for everyone involved. It gives aging seniors the care and stability they need, and provides family members with peace of mind about the comfort of their loved ones. Although most people would like to be able to care for their parents or grandparents themselves, they also have to think about their lives and what's feasible. If you have a job, kids, a spouse, and a home to take care of, that leaves very little time for anything else. Nursing homes can be a great option, but families need to do their research ahead of time.