Nursing Homes near Fort Pierce, FL

Nursing Homes in Fort Pierce, Florida

Nursing homes are a reality for many aging seniors, despite the fact that they'd most likely prefer to remain at home. Even when family wants to take care of their loved ones, it's not always in the best interest of those loved ones. Medical issues and the level of care a senior needs should dictate where the family places the senior, and nursing homes have a dedicated staff with medical training on hand to assist their residents. Not only that, but nursing homes give seniors a chance to make new friends and socialize on a regular basis. They're no longer stuck at home alone, which can help improve their quality of life. The bottom line is that nursing homes can be a blessing for seniors.

A Closer Look at Fort Pierce

Fort Pierce is known as the "sunrise city," which is the sister to San Francisco, California, the "sunset city." Its name comes from the army installation of Fort Pierce built in 1838 during the Second Seminole War. Plenty of sunshine and mild winters makes it an ideal city for seniors who can't handle bad weather conditions. Being on the coast, Fort Pierce does have to worry about damage from hurricanes; however, the city has rebuilt structures to ensure that damage is minimal. Many NFL and NBA players were born and raised in Fort Pierce, so it has a long tradition of supporting sports and other recreational activities; plus, it's a great place to retire and settle into a peaceful, coastal life.

Nursing Home Options

Because Fort Pierce is a great place for retirement, there are plenty of nursing homes in the area. Nursing homes should be registered with the state of Florida, and they should also be in good standing with investigators. Those homes not in good standing are typically out of compliance in some way, so that may not be the best place for your loved one. Most nursing homes provide the same basic services, so the real difference will be with the amenities and the friendliness of the staff. The basic service you can expect from nursing homes includes assistance with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and toileting, housekeeping, laundry, food services, and medical care. Some common amenities you might find with nursing homes includes spacious apartments, spa services, hair salon/barber shop, and pet-friendly areas.

Costs of Nursing Homes in Fort Pierce

The cost of nursing homes averages about $50,000 annually throughout most of the U.S., but those areas with higher cost of living indices can expect to pay more. Florida is a little higher than the average, so you can expect to spend anywhere from $50,000 to $75,000 for basic services, and then $75,000 or more with extra amenities. There are several ways families can pay for nursing home care. For those families who planned ahead, long-term care insurance is an option. In addition, most nursing homes accept Medicare and Medicaid as payment options. The final option, which should only be considered as a last resort, is paying out of pocket. The program director of your nursing home should be able to help you figure out the best way to make payments based on the options available to you.

Making the Move

When the time comes to move your loved one to the nursing home you chose, it can be a difficult process. Most families move seniors to a nursing home from the home they've lived in the majority of their adult lives, which means they will need to downsize. It can be an emotional process to go through their belongings, and it's important to give them the time they need to do it. Once they've decided what to keep and what to give away or throw out, then you can hire movers to pack and move things if you wish. However, helping your loved one go through their belongings is a great time to reassure them that they are loved, and that moving to a nursing home is the best thing for them.

Aging is a natural part of life, and with that comes the need to make lifestyle changes. For many seniors, that's the hardest part of getting older. They don't want to lose their independence, and, they may not want to admit they need help. This makes the decision more difficult for family members who want to honor their loved one's request, but know that they need assistance. The good news is that nursing homes try to allow residents as much freedom as they reasonably can, and they provide a social environment where your loved one can make new friends and develop a support group of their peers. Fort Pierce offers a lot of options to the senior community, and gives you the peace of mind you need, as well.