Nursing Homes near El Paso, TX

Nursing Homes in El Paso, Texas

Nursing home care is designed to help seniors who have reached a point where they need help with their daily activities such as bathing and dressing. Although it may not be a discussion that you and your loved one want to have, you should have it as soon as possible. Since there are several factors to keep in mind when making the decision to place someone in a nursing home, the earlier you start your conversation, the better off you'll be. Fortunately, El Paso has a lot of options available to families looking for a nursing home.

More about El Paso

El Paso has been ranked as the safest large city in the nation for the last four years. This is mostly because of the large military presence in the area. William Beaumont Army Medical Center, Biggs Army Airfield, and Fort Bliss all call El Paso home. In addition to the military, there are several federal agencies housed out of the city, including the DEA, Border Patrol, and the El Paso Intelligence Center. The city's economy relies heavily military and government contracts, international trade, and oil and gas. As for culture, it is one of the largest bilingual, bicultural areas in the nation. Residents and visitors alike can find many cultural events and festivals around town, which is perfect for those considering a nursing home in the area. But, El Paso also has a lot in the way of fine arts, as well. There is an orchestra, a Broadway theater, and a ballet theater. El Paso has enough activities and attractions to keep even the most active senior busy.

Think Location

When you place a family member in a nursing home, you have to consider location. Ideally, you want your loved one as close to as many family members as possible so they have a solid support system. However, it is more important that there is consistency in the senior's life, so if the family isn't close, it may make more sense to place them in a home nearest the most responsible person. Of course, your loved one's preferences should be taken into consideration, as well, for example, if they prefer a warm climate to a cold one.

Level of Care Provided

The next consideration you should have about nursing homes is the level of care provided to the residents. If your loved one has experienced a heart attack, stroke, or other illness, you want to ensure the facility can take care of them. Find out what certifications the nursing home has, what kind of training they provide for the staff, what type of certifications the staff has, if there is a medical doctor on hand, what happens if someone needs to be taken to the hospital, and so on. Once the staff answers your questions, you can compare the facilities on like terms.

Environment for Residents

The environment of a nursing home should be supportive and nurturing, and if it's not, it's probably not the best place for your loved one. Parents and grandparents should be able to connect with the other residents, and with the nursing home staff, as these people will become like a second family to them. If your loved one hates the facility, even if it has everything you both want, don't force them to live there. The stress and strain of forcing them to live in an environment they will hate can create emotional issues among the family. It's better to find a nursing home with a caring, supportive atmosphere that your loved one enjoys.

Paying for Nursing Home Care

It is important for families to have a realistic idea of what nursing homes costs. The average annual cost is $50,000, and rising, depending on location and amenities. That's 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. Eligibility for Medicare and Medicaid varies by state, so that's another option families should look into, as well.

Moving into a nursing home isn't at the top of every senior's bucket list, but if you're willing to take their preferences into consideration, you may be able to find a home that suits their personality, which makes the transition much easier. Additionally, keeping location, level of care, environment, and payment options in mind will make the decision-making process easier for everyone involved.