Understanding the Types of Care Offered in Nursing Homes 

Putting a loved one into a nursing home can be overwhelming. Choosing the best facility requires careful research, reviews and visiting the houses on your list to meet the staff and get a feel for the environment.

Nursing homes in Albany are expensive, with semi-private rooms costing, on average, $12,973 per month. Many seniors and their families seek financial assistance to help pay for nursing home care.

Physical Therapy

PT is a branch of rehabilitative health that uses exercises and equipment to help patients improve their strength, balance, mobility, and range of motion. In addition to supporting a patient in recovery from injuries, a therapist can prevent or slow the progression of certain diseases and conditions, such as sciatica, arthritis, or dementia.

In a nursing home Albany NY, seniors can use many helpful programs. The Jewish Family Services of Northeastern New York offers guidance and counseling to help older adults find the right long-term care plan for their needs, and its Senior Resource Network can connect residents with in-home services like home maintenance, transportation, respite care, and more.

Albany nursing homes offer a comfortable environment for seniors but can be expensive. 

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy differs from other healthcare professions like nursing and physical therapy because it helps people perform the daily tasks they find meaningful. It can be activities like bathing, dressing up and eating.

OTs modify or analyze activities and occupations to remove barriers preventing people of any age from living how they need or want to. OTs can also improve fine motor skills for daily activities like brushing teeth or using a computer.

Albany has several quality nursing homes, including a county-owned facility named among New York’s top 10 nursing homes by Newsweek magazine and Statista. 

Speech Therapy

Speech-language pathologists, or SLPs, help adults and children with articulation disorders, lisps, stuttering, and speaking, eating, drinking, and swallowing difficulties. These professionals also work with autistic children to stimulate their language development.

SLPs may use phonetic placement therapy to correct articulation errors and cueing techniques to increase vocabulary and verbal skills. They also employ other methods to encourage children to speak, including reading and playing games together.

The capital city of New York State is a highly age-friendly community with several top-rated hospitals. The city’s SeniorScore is 72, and residents may benefit from low property crime rates. However, the area’s harsh winters make nursing home care an expensive option here. Semi-private rooms cost an average of $12,973 per month, while home health and adult day care are less costly.

Respite Care

Being a caregiver can take a toll on both the body and the mind, and caregivers must take a break occasionally. Respite care is available in the home or at a facility and can be used for a few hours or weeks. It allows caregivers to run errands, attend appointments, work outside the home, or take a much-needed vacation.

In-home respite care involves a professional coming to help a loved one, while out-of-home care happens in a nursing home or adult daycare. Some long-term care insurance policies and Medicare cover this type of care.

In Albany, seniors can access various resources to help them stay at home longer, including home improvement programs and free financial advice to assist with deferring nursing home placement. The Department for Aging connects older adults to programs like these and offers information and counseling on Medicare, private insurance plans and other options.

Medication Management

When patients take a lot of medications, it can be hard to track their interactions with each other. Medication management can ensure that the drugs produce desirable results, not negative ones.

Albany has several programs to help seniors stay home and delay nursing home placement. These can include financial assistance and help with home repairs. Elderly individuals can also use local ombudsperson services to report problems with their care in nursing facilities.

Families looking into Albany, NY, nursing homes can learn more about the cost and types of care available in this area by viewing our comprehensive guide. It covers everything from state regulations to average prices in the region. The guide also includes an overview of long-term care insurance and other senior financial options.