While I was searching and getting info on all the nursing homes in my city, I found lots and lots of residential homes.

I'm not sure what you really call them, but it's a regular house that only accepts 8-10 patients, depending on the size of the house.

I was really surprised, but almost all of them accept Alzheimers patients. The cost was much less than the standard nursing home. In most, you had a choice of a private room or to share with someone else.

My mom is a very sociable person, and she misses her friends from her previous home more than she misses the home itself.

It just seems ideal. Like a small family. Each could repeat their stories and the others would never know the difference. I could really envision my mom getting attached to them. She loves meeting new people more than dealing with her own family.

My Question is? How on earth do you investigate these places? Is there somewhere online you can check their "track record," or find if they've had problems in the past?

I found 6-8 of them right around my area. It would be so nice to find something like that. Close for me and the comradery for Mom.

But.......how do you know how well they care for these people?

Is anyone familiar with this type of care? Ever used it or know about it. I don't recollect seeing it mentioned here. Or, if you've mentioned it previously, I didn't really understand that it wasn't a conventional nursing home.

When I think of nursing homes, I'm thinking of large hospitals with a tad of "coldness," about it.

I've heard them called "mini-homes". As a hospice volunteer, I've visited patients in these type of homes. The ones I've visited were nice. One was an older farm style home, and the rooms were decorated with antiques (might have been the residents furniture, not sure). It was very warm and homey feeling and the staff seemed very competent. Another one was less inviting, but the patient seemed content. But I don't think there are a lot of regulations on this type of home (I'm not sure though). I would want to talk with family of other residents from the past, etc. Good luck.

Hi -

When we had to move Mom from the ALF, I looked into just two of these homes in our area. I found them on-line and in the phone book, and just dropped in. They had no time to make things look good. At the first, there were about 25 residents. The yard was surrounded by an 8' chain link fence and there was a resident lying in the grass with no staff member in sight. Several of the more disabled residents in wheelchairs were slumped and dressed only in diapers and a shirt. I could tell at after 5 minutes that I didn't want my mother there.

The 2nd one was much more like you describe, a few residents and a very nice setting. I decided that my mother was too far gone at that point to benefit from that type facility. She was no longer very sociable.

I imagine that your local counsel on aging or senior resources have records of complaints and such about each facility and perhaps there is an accrediting agency you can check with. I'd also suggest you drop in on the places you are considering. That will tell you a lot. You can ask about recommendations when you visit, too.

Good luck! Barbara :)

Great idea Barbara,

One of them is several blocks from me and another is close, too. I could just drop in. You're right, an unanounced visit could tell volumes!

I hadn't thought about asking for recommendations. That's a good idea. Thanks for the suggestion.

I thought we were doing better today because mom was allright yesterday. But she came in this morning while I was at the puter and said, "I want you to take me home now."

Just to calm her, I said, "Well, Mom, I thought we were going to look at travel trailers on Sunday."

She says, "I don't miss my trailer, I miss my friends. I want to go back to my friends."

Gives me some steam to want to check these places out.

Thanks for the info!

There are a couple of those mini nursing homes right near me here in IN, and they are absolutely cheaper than a big NH. Most are family run.

If my Mom had been easily moved, we could have moved her near here and paid less than half for the NH .. but then her money would have run out in 6 months instead of 3 ... and in the end it makes no big difference. Certainly the big home has more activities.

I would also suggest dropping in totally unexpectedly. Also try to find out what kind of credentials they have, and ask in your state what the requirements are to run such a home. I know the standards for running a nursery school or day care center vary incredibly from state to state.

There were no small homes in my brother's area, probably because the cost of real estate in NYC makes it prohibitive. But I do like the idea. Mom is still sociable, and would love having just a few 'friends' to keep track of, not so many ....

I hope this is the solution for you and your dear Mom ...

Love,

Martha

I know someone who used to run one of those homes, and she's a caring, thoughtful, gentle loving soul who only wants the best for her charges .....

I wish we had them here in Aust. because then the nursing homes would be freed up for those who REALLY REALLY need it .......

Go for it .......
Cheers
Sally