Many New Jersey residents will need some type of long-term care when they grow older. Planning for potential long-term care needs well in advance might help people better afford the types of care that they might require. Most people do not want to go to skilled nursing facilities when they are no longer able to care for themselves. One potential alternative is a small-scale long-term care facility. Here are some pros and cons of this type of facility as compared to a traditional nursing home.
Pros of small long-term care homes
Smaller long-term care homes are designed to be more home-like instead of having long corridors and a hospital-like setting. Instead of having many residents and large staff, these homes normally have from 10 to 12 private bedrooms with private bathrooms, small staff sizes, a living room area, and a better ability for staff members to meet the individual preferences and needs of the residents. Residents get to feel more like they are at home and can have more control over when they go to bed, when they wake up, and the foods that they eat.
Cons of small long-term care homes
Some of the cons of smaller private long-term disability care homes include the following:
• Fewer amenities and available activities
• Reduced ability to meet different levels of care needs
• Some people might not enjoy the small size
Planning for long-term care well in advance of when people might need it can make it likelier that they will be able to choose the type of facility in which they would prefer to live. Purchasing private long-term care insurance and engaging in Medicaid planning are a couple of ways people might be able to plan so that they will be able to afford long-term care if and when they need it.
