In the final years of a loved one’s life, many adults struggle to find a long term care facility that addresses both the essentials of daily living and the desires of the individual. Finding a facility that takes care of basic needs, such as providing medications, ensuring cleanliness, and offering balanced meals, is important; however, it’s also valuable to consider the opinions of the person whose care is in question. Does he or she like the location? Are there activities available that he or she will enjoy? Will he or she retain the level of independence they wish for? These questions, and more, make the decision of choosing a senior living facility so difficult for people nationwide.

For many Americans, a nursing home is often the best option. If you’re in this position, keep reading for tips on how to narrow your search and determine the best decision for you or your loved one.

• Around-the-clock care is readily available. As much as people strive to provide for their loved ones, especially those in need, tending to a person’s wants and needs day and night is both physically and mentally exhausting. Couple that duty with other daily chores and deadlines (more so if you have children of your own), and it’s easy to burn out quickly. A nursing care home – which may also go by convalescence home or retirement homes – provides 24-hour healthcare for those who need it, which is typically the elderly, disabled, and terminally ill. In particular, this is true for patients who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and require constant supervision to navigate their surroundings. Many nurses specialize in elderly care, which helps them care for patients in nursing homes adequately.

  It may be hard to relinquish responsibility to someone else, but the stress is easier to handle with the knowledge that your loved one is in trained hands at all hours of the day.

• Long term care facility professionals know when to be firm and when to allow for flexibility. Professionals in nursing care homes have years of experience with a multitude of patients, and can analyze situations without bias. In contrast, a relative or loved one may have a harder time putting his or her foot down when necessary. That said, a number of nursing homes acknowledge the innate need for many people to enjoy independent living, and work to supply them with the healthcare they need in a way that is less invasive. The best nursing homes have comprehensive care teams that offer a wide range of healthcare services.
• A long term care facility offers healthcare resources at-hand. Understandably, many people feel more comfortable with keeping their loved ones at home and caring for them in a space that is familiar and soothing. However, assisted living facilities typically have greater access to healthcare resources and a larger team of providers to efficiently take care of situations that come up. In an emergency, this proves especially beneficial.

It can be emotionally stressful to admit a loved one to a nursing home, but researching a high-quality facility will ultimately ease the anxiety of both parties involved.