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It’s stressful navigating the aging process with elderly parents and relatives – particularly when it comes time to consider nursing homes or similar arrangements. One question on your mind is likely: can nursing homes refuse patients?
Nursing homes can refuse to take a patient for several reasons. You can preempt potential refusal by learning why nursing homes refuse certain patients and researching and selecting the right nursing home. Nursing home alternatives could also be a better option for your senior.
This article will review the typical reasons why nursing homes refuse patients. I’ll also detail ways to guard against a potential nursing home refusal and highlight several alternative arrangements.
Why Do Nursing Homes Refuse Patients?
You may be surprised that nursing homes can refuse patients, but it can be common depending on several factors. Refusal grounds include:
- Medical (e.g., serious conditions the facility in question is not equipped to handle, like severe dementia)
- History of violence (e.g., abusive behavior toward staff at a prior facility)
- Capacity
Nursing home evictions can also occur for similar reasons.
Some nursing homes are better equipped to handle certain types of patients. For example, nursing homes with special units dedicated to Alzheimer’s/dementia, pulmonary, or hospice are better suited to accommodate patients that require care in those categories.
You’ll want to ensure you’re selecting the right nursing home. Choosing one that’s well-equipped for your parent or relative’s needs will help avoid patient refusal. Do your research and pay attention to ratings. Medicare.gov has a valuable tool that lets you compare various nursing home options that match your needs.
What Is Patient Dumping?
Patient dumping differs from patient refusal, as it occurs while an individual has been living in a nursing home rather than during the application process.
In this context, patient dumping typically involves a patient being transferred from the nursing home they were staying at to a hospital so that a medical issue can be addressed. Once the patient is better and ready to return to their nursing home, they find that their belongings have been packed up and the facility has denied them readmittance.
Patient dumping is illegal, and there are regulations to protect nursing home residents from this situation. If this happens to your senior, you can seek advice from a hospital social worker or contact a legal firm specializing in these cases.
Nursing Home Alternatives
Once you’ve become more familiar with the types of nursing homes and why they may refuse certain patients, you may wonder what steps to take if neither seems like a good fit.
Several nursing home alternatives, such as assisted living facilities and respite care, range in cost, commitment level, and suitability for your relative.
What Is an Assisted Living Facility?
One popular alternative to nursing homes is an assisted living facility.
The main difference between nursing homes and assisted living facilities is that nursing homes require medical clearance. In contrast, assisted living is more suitable for individuals requiring minimal health care. Assisted living facilities are a great option when the concerns for your senior are centered around socialization and assistance in day-to-day tasks.
Many assisted living facilities are beautiful communities with impressive amenities, and offer things like:
- Group events
- Entertainment
- Free meals
- On-site pharmacies
You should note that assisted living facilities can be expensive because of the number and quality of amenities provided.
It’s important to carefully evaluate each assisted living facility you visit. This checklist from AARP is a great resource to review and fill out for assisted living facilities you and your loved one are considering.
What Is Respite Care?
Respite care is an excellent option for many families. As the name suggests, respite care offers a break to unpaid caregivers (i.e., relatives of seniors who need assistance throughout the week) by providing part-time caregiver services. These services can be in-home or offsite and include adult day care and professional in-home visits.
Respite care is typically provided part-time and doesn’t include as many “features” as an assisted living facility. Therefore, it can be a much more cost-effective option for families.
There are several additional benefits to respite care, such as:
- Shared commitment among relatives
- Flexibility in the level and frequency of care
- One-on-one support for in-home options
If you’re interested in learning about respite care, check out this helpful article from the Alzheimer’s Association of America.
How To Make a Home Safe for Seniors
You can head off serious injuries and potentially avoid the nursing home route altogether by making minor adjustments to a senior’s home.
Surveys indicate that seniors prefer to remain in their homes. Still, you should tread carefully in making these modifications, which can sometimes be viewed as attempts to turn a house into a hospital. Just approach the topic delicately and with compassion, explaining that you’re looking out for their safety and hoping to avoid more significant issues in the future.
Popular modifications and additions in making a home safe for seniors include:.
- Removal of throw rugs
- Removal of extension cords
- Installation of sensor lights and/or night lights. This highly rated Solatec LED Night Light (available on Amazon.com) comes in a convenient six-pack and is perfect for stairways and hallways.
- Installation of grab bars. An excellent option is the Stander Security Pole Grab Bar (available on Amazon.com), which can be installed in the bathroom for dual use. It also boasts a more attractive design than your standard grab bar.
- Availability of canes and/or walkers
- Addition of colored tape on steps
- Addition of door ramps
- Accessibility of 1st-floor bathroom/bedroom, if possible
Remember, investment in the safety and convenience of a senior’s home will help prevent potentially costly and long-term care issues down the line. It’s also important to be vigilant about small changes in your loved one’s abilities and continue to make modifications as appropriate.
With these steps, you may be able to keep your elderly relative safe and comfortable in their home for longer.
Now, let’s consider the flip side. What if your elderly parent wants to leave a nursing home? Is that possible? And if so, how can you help them leave? I’ve covered the answers in two complete guides so that you can get all the information you need. Could an Elderly Parent Leave a Nursing Home?
Elderly Parents Want to Leave a Nursing Home? How to Help
Conclusion
When evaluating options for your senior loved one, it’s essential to remember that nursing homes can refuse to take certain patients. You’ll have to carefully assess nursing home options to ensure your choice meets your elderly relative’s needs.
Beyond that, you have the opportunity to consider nursing home alternatives like assisted living and respite care. What’s more, taking the time and effort to prepare your senior’s home today could preempt the need to place your loved one in a nursing home in the future.
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