Nursing homes provide a wide range of medical and long term care services that help people
maintain the best level of functionality even if they are dependent to others for care. The following are some of the programs/services they offer.
1. Alzheimer’s and Dementia Program
As most caregivers can attest, caring for a person with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia related disorders is one of the toughest caregiving duties. Caregivers not only have to take care of the patients’ day to day needs; they also have to put up with their mood swings, wandering habits and changes in their behavior. Realizing this, most nursing homes offer care plans specific for patients with these kinds of brain disorders.
2. AIDS/HIV Program
Nursing homes also have long term care plans specific for people with AIDS. Extreme precaution must be done in handling patients with this disease to avoid infections and complications. Take note that AIDS victims are vulnerable to other diseases due to their weak immune system. Furthermore, the virus that causes the disease is also transmittable so a caregiver must pay extra attention when treating open wounds, sores, etc.
3. Coma Program
Comatose patients tend to need extended care, and hospitals charge them with a very expensive rate. To lessen the financial burden, it is best to let patients be cared for in nursing homes which can provide the same level of care at a lower cost.
4. Hospice Care Program
Patients who are suffering from a terminal illness may choose to participate in a hospice care program of a nursing home. Hospice care program offer long term care services and spiritual counseling. To participate in this kind of care arrangement, the patient or his family must first secure a certification that he has a life expectancy of six months or less.