Choosing a retirement destination and community can be a challenging task. Many retirees prefer to stay in their home countries, while others consider traveling or retiring abroad. Both the United States and Ireland offer considerable benefits for spending your golden years. However, if you or a loved one end up needing a nursing home community, you may find the two countries to be very different in terms of healthcare coverage, quality of care, and cultural amenities. To make the most informed decision about nursing homes, you’ll want to compare Ireland's and America’s rules, regulations, coverage, quality, and financial support as a starting point.
Average Costs and Support
Nursing home care is a costly venture in both Ireland and the United States, although the financial support available differs significantly between the two countries.
The cost of nursing homes in Ireland will depend on whether you receive private care or public care. The average weekly cost of Irish nursing homes, as cited by The Irish Times, is approximately €1,564 ($1,820), with a range of €1,000 to €3,000 (or $1,160 to $3,500) per week. Nursing home residents can receive financial support thanks to the Fair Deal Scheme (or Nursing Homes Support Scheme). This program offers financial support to residents, with the amount varying according to their income. Residents will have to contribute a certain amount of their income toward their care for the Irish government to cover the remaining costs. Private care requires more out-of-pocket expenses.
United States nursing homes are well-known for their high costs, especially when private rooms are preferred. On average, residents can expect to pay at least $3,000 (around €2,600) per week. Government-issued retirement health insurance (Medicare) will usually cover short-term stays, but long-term stays are generally out-of-pocket, with exceptions for certain income criteria. Residents and their families typically incur very high costs for long-term stays.
Safety and Quality Ratings
Both the United States and Ireland have regulations and laws in place to help protect nursing home residents, but these vary slightly.
Ireland nursing home residents are protected under the 1947 and 2007 Health Act. The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) monitors the safety and quality of nursing homes in the country. While the HIQA is a national government agency, complaints and reports against nursing homes are typically handled locally. The quality of care varies greatly between nursing home communities. While many are highly rated and residents report positive experiences, some experience lapses in care quality and accusations of neglect due to insufficient staffing.
In the United States, nursing homes are overseen by both national and state-level governments. Medicare (national government health insurance) makes safety and care quality ratings publicly available for seniors to consider. There are high standards for staffing, care quality, and safety, and violating these standards results in substantial fines, legal consequences, and potential closures. Due to variations in area size and population throughout the US, nursing homes generally differ in their individual quality. According to federal laws, nursing home residents have the right to abuse-free, safe, dignified, and private care. Both rural areas and overpopulated areas are prone to insufficient staffing, which can result in lapses in care or neglect cases.
New York, New York
New York City has the largest population in the United States. It’s a favoured vacation spot and retirement destination for many. Due to high population density, staff levels are often inadequate in some nursing homes, resulting in poorer quality care. While there are highly rated facilities here, older adults and their families must exercise due diligence when touring and comparing communities.
Tampa, Florida
Florida is one of the most popular states for retirement, as older adults prefer outdoor recreation and year-round warm weather. There is a significant older adult population throughout the state, particularly in retirement-focused communities like Tampa. Tampa’s nursing home community varies in quality for this reason. Certain homes have recently been cited for neglect due to insufficient staffing.
Bloomington, Illinois
The city of Bloomington is just a few hours away from the popular city of Chicago, allowing retirees affordable access to larger cities without the noise and crowds. It’s a decent place for retirement, as it’s inexpensive and has a wide variety of retirement communities. According to a prominent Bloomington nursing home abuse lawyer, at least two facilities have been cited for abuse, and three are rated much below average. There are some highly rated options, so retirees are encouraged to compare these communities first.
Staff Training and Expertise
Both Ireland and the US employ qualified medical staff to care for residents in nursing homes. Staff is typically composed of registered nurses, health aides, and healthcare assistants, with the latter being less medically trained. Staff turnover is high in both countries, with an estimated 54% turnover in Ireland in 2022 alone, according to Irish politician and Teachta Dála Marie Sherlock. While staff are highly trained and experienced, high turnover can lead to lapses in care quality and supervision in both countries.
Cultural Differences
Both countries strive for a comfortable and home-like setting for their nursing homes, but American communities tend to feel more clinical, sterile, or medical in nature. American nursing homes will offer a variety of broadly appealing enrichment activities, such as crafts, bingo, or movie nights.
In Ireland, there is a growing demand for more cultural activities, as evidenced by initiatives such as Creative Ireland and the Department of Health's efforts to bring live music and cultural storytelling sessions to nursing homes, aiming to support positivity and pastimes among the aging population.
Conclusion
Both Ireland and the United States offer a wide variety of nursing home communities to choose from. What works best for your loved ones or your family will highly depend on your income, healthcare coverage, community needs, and qualification for programs like the Fair Deal Scheme in Ireland. Community-oriented nursing home communities, which often receive more generous financial support, are available for many Irish residents. In America, you’ll have more flexibility and choice when it comes to community, but you may see higher expenses and more clinical environments. Choosing a retirement location and community can be challenging, but thorough research can guide you on the most informed path that best suits your needs and those of your family.
