There are alternatives to long term institutional care that may be appropriate for some people. These are options you may wish to consider before you and your health care provider decide that a nursing home is for you. Some alternatives are listed below.
Community/Home Care
One or more of a wide range of community services may be available to help
you remain in your home. Check with your doctor, discharge planner, local
office for the aging or local health department to see if the following
programs are available in your community.
- Adult Day Health Care
- Certified Home Health Agency Care (CHHA)
- Congregate Apartment
- Enriched Housing
- Homemaker Services
- Housekeeper/Chore Services
- Hospice
- Long Term home Health Care (LTHHC)
- Meals on Wheels
- Personal Care Assistance
Institutional Care
There are also different types of residential or institutional care.
- Adult Homes With and Without Assisted Living Program
- Family-type Homes for Adults
- Hospices (for terminally ill)
- Long Term Care Facilities (Nursing Homes)
- Residences for Adults
- Shelters for Adults
Nursing homes are places to live where care is available for people who need
24-hour nursing care and supervision outside of a hospital. Although all
nursing homes must provide certain basic services, some homes provide
special care for certain types of clients. For example, some homes provide
services for the head injured, some for those who are ventilator-dependent,
some for people with AIDS and some specialize in the care of children.
After you have explored alternatives and you, your family and involved
professional health care providers agree that a nursing home is required,
carefully select a nursing care facility.
Information contained in this directory will aid you in selecting the right
nursing home. It is written for you, the prospective resident. If someone
else must organize the search and make the decisions, it is important that
you be as involved as possible in the process.
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There are alternatives to long term institutional care that may be appropriate for some people. These are options you may wish to consider before you and your health care provider decide that a nursing home is for you. Some alternatives are listed below. 
