Since women live longer than men do on average, they are at risk for many diseases that are less prevalent among the rest of the population.
Women currently make up about two thirds of nursing home residents.
When you conclude that a loved one needs full time care, deciding how to get that care for them is difficult. Develop a network of people to consult, including your relative s doctor, clergy, social worker, and other family members when making this decision. If your relative is mentally competent, it is very important to include her in this decision as well. Planning ahead is important, but many families find themselves in the difficult position of needing to find a nursing home for a relative on short notice. In either case, there are several factors that must be taken into account when making this decision.