Nursing Homes near Carmel, IN

Nursing Homes in Carmel, Indiana

Nursing home care isn't the big, bad wolf that many make it out to be. In fact, the nursing home industry has worked hard to improve its reputation by hiring compassionate staff members who care about the residents, upgrading their facilities, offering more amenities to families, and providing a warm, nurturing environment for seniors. With the fastest growing age group in the U.S. being the 70 and over group, more people are in need of care each year, and nursing homes fill that need. When your family decides to move a loved one to a nursing home, there are some considerations to keep in mind: location, level of care provided, the environment for residents, and payment options.

Location

Location is one of the most important factors to think about when it comes to nursing homes. Not only do you want your loved one to be close to as many family members as possible, but you also want them to be in a safe neighborhood, as well. Many seniors may wish to retire in the area they lived the majority of their lives, but if there isn't any family close to that location, it might make more sense to move them closer to family. Either way, it's part of the discussion you should have with your aging loved one before deciding on a nursing home.

Level of Care Provided

Once you decide on location, the next step is to start looking at nursing homes. One of the first things you should look into is the level of care that the home provides. The home you ultimately decide on should be free from odors, it should be clean and spacious, the residents should seem happy and relatively healthy (depending on their own individual circumstances), the food should be healthy and tasty, and residents should have access to clean drinking water at all times. In addition, if your loved one has medical issues, the nursing home should be able to respond immediately to their needs.

Environment for Residents

The environment of a nursing home should be supportive, nurturing, and social. One of the top reasons seniors tend to object to nursing homes is the fact that they don't want to be institutionalized. A nursing home with a social room that is a sterile box feels a lot like an institution and should be avoided. The nursing home should feel like an apartment complex, and the front area should be welcoming and inviting to visitors and residents alike. Overall, the environment should be peaceful for residents.

Paying for Nursing Home Care

Families should know that the average cost of nursing home care is about $50,000 a year. This fluctuates depending on location and amenities you choose, but for those families who do not prepare ahead of time, the cost can seem overwhelming. It's best to have an action plan before the time comes to move into a nursing home, but the best thing to do is to visit with the program director of the home you're interested in, and plan from there. The most common payment options include one or more of the following: long-term care insurance, Medicaid or Medicare, and paying out of pocket. Experts recommend that families use the paying out of pocket option as a last resort to avoid financial and emotional stress.

Living in Carmel

Located immediately north of Indianapolis, it is considered one of the fastest growing cities in the country, and it's one of the 10 best cities in Indiana. CNN Money has also selected Carmel as the best place to live in the United States. The city is the unofficial roundabout capital of the U.S. since it has over 80 roundabouts, and the city officials even approved the demolition of 78 sets of traffic signals. According to the city, roundabouts have reduced the number of accidents and injuries in the city, making it safer to drive on the roads than other parts of the country. One of the main attractions in Carmel is the Japanese Garden. Ground broke in 2007, and it was dedicated to its sister city - Kawachinagano, Japan - in 2009. Residents can also find other activities such as farmer's markets, shopping, and museums.

Families who haven't planned for nursing home care may feel a lot of pressure to get things done quickly, but it's important to take your time and make sure everyone is comfortable with the decision. Seniors who are unhappy or anxious about their living situation may experience a decline in mood and health, which is counterproductive to the reasons you decided on a nursing home in the first place. Make sure the home you choose fits your loved one's personality, and that it offers many of the amenities your loved one requested. This will help smooth out the transition for them, and it gives you peace of mind that your loved one is taken care of and safe.