In the last years residential assisted living facilities have become popular alternatives to nursing homes.

Do you really need a nursing home?. Most of the time no, but people are just not aware of how much care can be provided in a small residential assisted living facility. Those facilities have the highest caregiver to patient ratio giving one-on-one care which no nursing home or larger assisted living facility can provide unless you are paying additionally or by hiring a private duty aide.

Just continue to read about the many services that can be provided to your loved one in a 6-8 bed residential assisted living facility and then decide if you are really in need of nursing home care.

DON'T FORGET!.....Assisted living facilities in Florida do benefit from Medicaid Diversion Program and your relative can have a portion of the assisted living cost covered, usually up to $1100-$1200/month( your relative's monthly income-pension, retirement benefits,etc-plus Medicaid Diversion contribution can not exceed $2400 per month for our facilities with certain programs such American Eldercare, Amerigroup and Citrus). There is a small difference if you are a member of Universal Medicaid Diversion. Their contribution is $1100/month on top of your pension, retirement funds etc. up to $2200/month. So if your pension is $2200/month, the assisted living facility in which you are residing will receive an additional $1100/month coming to a total of $3300/month. In many assisted living facilities( including Phoenix Senior Living), $3300/month will cover private room accommodations.

Mom or dad receives assistance with all activities of daily living, with transfers and ambulation and help with wheechair mobility if they are unable to wheel themselves. Residents with dementia or Alzheimer's will be reminded to eat if needed and food will be cut up for residents with limited manual dexterity.

Many other services are provided as: medication administration( it is centrally locked and controlled by trained personnel), incontinence care and supplies, nutrition is closely monitored( diet provided based on a menu prepared by a registered dietitian), in house visiting physician, optometrist, podiatrist, hairdresser, laboratory and x-ray services.

Medical services are available to residential assisted living facilities and are provided by licensed nurses, physical, occupational and speech therapy through home health services, and the services rendered are covered by the resident's health insurance.

Everybody believed that if mom or dad was a diabetic on insulin, or needed intravenous antibiotics or other injectable medication, they had to go to a nursing home. The concept is wrong because all that can be provided in a assisted living facility under home health services.

Phoenix Senior Living provides all those services and more. Read.....