One of the hardest and contentious decisions we can make is putting our elderly parents in a nursing home. We may ask, “is it in their best interest?” Though nothing compares to the love and care we can give to our aging parents, they need professional care around the clock, which caregivers can provide.
Nursing homes are probably the highest level of care for seniors outside a hospital. They provide skilled care and custodial care, such as bathing, eating, or getting dressed. Consider these advantages if you are finding it hard or having guilty feelings in placing your aging loved ones in a nursing home:
1. Healthcare Services
Skilled nursing caregivers are highly trained and always ready to deal with any medical issues that may arise. They can assess safety risks and provide health services such as:
- Injections
- Intravenous or nutrition therapy
- Patient and caregiver education
- Monitoring unstable health status and severe sickness
- Care for pressure sores or surgical wounds
2. Safety
One of the benefits of placing your elderly loved ones in a nursing home is their security and safety at all times. Healthcare professionals on duty pay attention to them round the clock, especially if they have health issues, making them prone to falls.
3. Housekeeping Services
Cleanliness can indicate a dedication to health, personal happiness, and residential comfort. Because of this, many nursing homes ensure sanitation excellence to keep their residents healthy. They maintain a clean facility that creates a feeling of comfort, just like your home.
You and other family members don’t have to worry about cleaning the kitchen, dining area, toilet, etc., to provide a clean home that’s important to their health. The staff in nursing homes are trained in housekeeping services, including beddings, laundry, cleaning, and more.
4. Specialized Healthcare
Some aging individuals have complex medication conditions, like dementia and Alzheimer’s. These illnesses can cause stress to your family, causing conflicts. The caregivers in nursing homes are knowledgeable and experienced in providing the necessary assistance that your loved ones need.
For instance, since Alzheimer’s patients experience symptoms and progression differently, they have tailored senior care service techniques to manage challenges and difficulties brought by the illness.
5. Relieves Stress on Family Members
The modern family usually requires all adult family members to work. Leaving your elderly loved ones in a nursing home knowing they’re safe makes you focus at work and gives you time to relax.
6. Social Engagement
The National Academies of Sciences reports that nearly one-fourth of adults aged 65 and older are considered to be socially isolated. They are most likely to be lonely because they live alone, lose family or friends, have chronic illnesses, or have hearing loss.
When they live in a nursing home, they can meet other individuals who share the same interests. They can develop close bonds with other residents, which can help increase a sense of belongingness and improve self-worth and confidence.
7. Ensures Proper Nutrition and Regular Meal Times
Nursing homes are usually staffed with nutritionists and dietitians who provide proper nutrition for their residents’ optimal health. If an elderly is suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s, the facility will ensure that they eat and drink at appropriate times. They will also be offered a wide variety of healthy and nutritious meals.
8. Access to Medical Equipment
Most nursing homes have the necessary medical equipment to manage many minor medical conditions, which you may not have at home. This could help prevent the resident’s condition from worsening while reducing the need to transport them to the hospital.
Choosing the Right Nursing Home
Not all nursing homes are the same. When looking for a facility to put your elderly parents or loved ones in, ensure to choose one that can provide the best care for them. Ask your family doctor for a recommendation or other people you know who have tried these.
You can also search the internet for a nursing home in your area. For instance, if your loved one is a senior living in Carlsbad, find nursing homes in the area or nearby, and choose what you think meets the criteria of what you’re looking for. This way, you know you’re still near them once they move, so you can visit them conveniently.