Nursing Homes near Boston, MA

Nursing Homes in Boston, Massachusetts

The idea of living in a nursing home doesn't appeal to many seniors, but that's probably because no one has sat down to explain the benefits. When your loved one reaches a point where they need assistance with their daily activities, a nursing home may be the best option. To help your loved one transition, take the time to find the right nursing home for their personality, and go over the benefits of the move. Fortunately, Boston offers a lot of options for seniors moving into a nursing home, so you and your family are sure to find one that works for you.

Living in Boston

Boston is one of the oldest cities in the United States. It was founded in 1630 by Puritan settlers from England. It was key in several scenes throughout the American Revolution, including the Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, and the Battle of Bunker Hill. After the war, it was still an important manufacturing hub and port for the east coast. In today's environment, Boston is one of the most culturally rich cities in the United States. It is often referred to as the "Athens of America" because of its literary culture. Boston was home to some of the greatest literary minds of the 19th century, including Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The Boston Public Library was founded as the first free library in the United States.

Also culturally important in Boston is music and theater. The Boston Symphony Orchestra is one of the "big five," and considered one of the best orchestra's in the world. There are several concert halls, musical festivals, and community and main-stage theaters for ballet and plays. And, because Boston was so heavily involved in the American Revolution, there are plenty of historical spots for visitors and residents to visit and learn about. Of course, the history and art of the city aren't without its setbacks. Boston has one of the highest costs of living in the United States, and that's across the board. Housing, rentals, food, and utilities are much higher than the national average, which affects a lot of other costs, as well.

Benefits of a Nursing Home

There are many benefits to living in a nursing home, including assistance with daily activities, a social environment, housekeeping, food service, health care service, and access to other resources. There may come a time when your loved one needs assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. When that time comes, a nursing home can help residents manage these tasks and more. Nursing homes also provide seniors with a built-in social network of their peers. Through home activities and day trips to surrounding attractions, seniors can make new friends and socialize to keep them engaged. Housekeeping can often be an issue for seniors as they get older, so the good news is that a nursing home handles all of those details for residents. This includes laundry, dry cleaning, and general cleaning of the apartment. Nursing homes provide food and snacks to residents. It's important to find a nursing home that has the ability to provide fresh foods, a varied menu, and any dietary restrictions your loved one may need. Health care services are an important benefit for seniors, especially those who have experienced medical issues such as heart attack, stroke, or Alzheimer's. Nursing homes also provide residents access to other resources as needed. This includes internet, fax, and phone services.

Paying for Nursing Home Care

Nursing home care can be rather costly, especially for those families who don't plan ahead. On average, nursing homes cost about $50,000 a year. But, remember that Boston has one of the highest costs of living in the country, so nursing home care is more expensive in Boston than other parts of the country. Depending on the options and amenities you choose, nursing home care in Boston can run upwards of $100,000. There are several options available to families when it comes to paying for nursing home care. The best option is to secure long-term care insurance whenever possible. Next is to look into Medicare/Medicaid options. Massachusetts has its own rules about qualifying for those programs, so it's best to look into them as soon as possible. And finally, the last option is to pay out of pocket for the care, although experts recommend this not be the sole option of paying.

Nursing home care is a great way to help aging loved ones receive the help and care they need, and still keep them close enough to visit whenever you want. Although you might wish to take care of your loved one yourself, you also have to consider your own life and responsibilities, and sometimes that doesn't leave a lot of time to provide the level of care your loved one needs. Deciding to place a loved one in a nursing home has a ton of benefits to them, and it may make the most sense for their care.