South Carolina Nursing Home Alternatives: Assisted Living Facilities, Respite Care, and More

The guide to nursing home care from Greenville lawyer Andy Arnold continues with this section on finding a nursing home alternative, including assisted living facilities and respite care to help families caring for an elderly loved one.

Other Options

To be quite honest, there do not seem to be any real good options. The new trend of adult day care is just that--a trend. It is not materialized as an option in many locales.

Respite Care

The South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services offers access to the most information about local options. For example, respite programs are intended to allow families to keep Grandma at home as long as possible while also recognizing the demands on the caregivers and their families. Respite means a short break from the demands of care giving. Essentially, a group home would allow a caregiver to drop Grandma off for a few hours to allow a rest for the caregiver. This could be done at regular intervals so as to take the stress off home life. Also, there are some programs designed for folks with Alzheimer's. Contact the S.C. Department of Health and Human Services by calling (803) 898-2850.

Assisted Living Facilities

Assisted living communities are an option for those who require some monitoring, accessible medical services, and laundry and meals service. Some of these communities are very nice and just as many are very expensive. But for those who want to retain some independence and are able to do so, an assisted living facility may be an option.

Home and Community Care

Home and community care programs can offer assistance. Meals-on-Wheels is an example of a community program that might be just one piece of multi-faceted plan to allow Grandma to stay at home. Charities like the United Way have a list of community programs that might help you.

Also, try Geriatric Resource Services, Inc. (864) 297-1336. A geriatric care manager can help you with getting a plan and piecing together options.

Learn More from Greenville Nursing Home Neglect Attorney Andy Arnold

After researching nursing home alternatives with the South Carolina Department of Health, you may find that you can keep your loved one out of a nursing home and in one of the local assisted living facilities. Or, you may find that respite care or community programs may allow you to keep your older loved one at home. Greenville attorney Andy Arnold is glad to provide this information for you, but he warns that even if you find an alternative to a nursing home, you still need to be diligent about elder abuse. For a free initial consultation, contact the South Carolina firm of W. Andrew Arnold today.