Some people joke about staying in a nursing home as they get older. Still, there comes the point when this stops being a joke and becomes a serious alternative to consider. Not every elderly person requires the care of a nursing facility. However, there are times when this is the greatest option for elderly people and their loved ones.
When Should You Consider a Nursing Home?
You must understand when to place a loved one in a nursing home. Putting one of your parents or grandparents in this circumstance too soon can affect your relationship or make them feel less independent than they are. Waiting too long, on the other hand, might raise serious health and safety concerns, among other issues.
Here are five signs to consider while deciding whether to put a loved one in a nursing home.
1. Neglecting personal hygiene
It’s one thing if the house is messy, but it’s a much bigger issue if personal hygiene has declined. Inquire how frequently you’re loved one showers/bathes and whether they have difficulty doing so alone. If they have problems getting out of bed or getting up from a seat, find out what they do to stay active around the house.
Not everyone will be forthcoming about these difficulties of aging. Still, some questioning on your part should reveal everything you need to know about their issues with personal cleanliness.
2. Eating and sleeping have changed
Talk about recent eating and sleeping habits while on the subject of personal hygiene. Do you see your mother eating many of the same foods since she can’t cook as well as she used to? Is your grandmother agitated because she has trouble falling asleep or wakes up late at night?
These aren’t something to dismiss or try to tackle on your own. They should be placed in the hands of skilled nursing home personnel who know how to assist.
3. Mobility changed
If someone’s mobility has changed, moving them into a nursing facility may be time. This is true whether you use a cane, a walker, or a wheelchair. They may still refuse to use any of these things, but you can tell they’re not moving as much as they once did.
A nursing home puts far less burden on the body. It means that your loved one will no longer have to worry about cleaning or cooking, and they will be able to spend more time enjoying themselves. They can relax a lot more, and you can all be less concerned about their body’s ability to do everything.
4. Medication isn’t being taken
This is one of the list’s most serious red flags. Medication is not something to mess with. Some elderly persons try to avoid or discontinue their medicine without informing their loved ones or doctors.
In a nursing home, however, this is not an option. Living in an assisted care facility means your loved one will have someone watching over them to ensure they take all of their medications. This provides you peace of mind that they won’t do something that jeopardizes their health or the treatment they’re receiving.
5. Conditions have gotten worse
There are numerous medications that elderly people begin to take. These range from basic vitamins and nutrients to more complex medications for chronic pain or catastrophic disorders. Drugs are available for terminal illnesses to make the inevitable less unpleasant.
Treatment, however, cannot solve all problems. If your loved one’s health deteriorates, it may be a warning that they should no longer live alone or under your roof. It is preferable to have them in areas where doctors and nurses can easily reach them. You can continue reading for more information.
