When Is The Right Time To Consider A Nursing Home? Helpful Tips For Caregivers And Their Loved Ones

20 April 2018
 Categories: , Blog

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Those who provide care for an elderly parent, spouse, or loved one with serious medical or cognitive issues are the ones who will be most affected by the emotional and physical stress that accompanies this task.

Yet many may feel that they have no other choice but to continue doing so, even when their own health, families, careers, or relationships are at stake. In most cases, forcing yourself to assume total responsibility for another's care is rarely a good idea, for you or your loved one.

If you are currently serving as a caregiver, or will be doing so in the near future, the following tips can help you understand the need for nursing home care and when you should consider it for your loved one. 

Is the health or mobility issue temporary or ongoing? 

The first question to ask when trying to determine whether nursing home care is the best choice concerns the nature of the health of mobility issue your loved one is suffering from. If the issue is temporary, such as healing from a broken bone or recovering from a surgical procedure, and one or more family members or friends are willing and able to provide the needed care, a nursing home may not be needed. If, however, the medical situation is more dire or there will be difficulty in arranging home care, residential nursing care at a facility like Regina Nursing Center will be better able to manage your loved ones care needs. 

Is there an adult child or relative who can provide live in care? 

If an adult child or relative is available and willing to either provide care in their loved one's home or move them into their own, home care may continue to be feasible. This often works well with an elderly parent who is not bedridden and just needs some mild supervision with daily activities that may not be possible if they were to continue to live alone. 

In situations where the loved one is no longer mobile or cognizant, or when specialized medical care needs cannot be easily handled in the home environment, providing high quality nursing home care becomes the better option. 

To learn more about nursing home care and whether the time is right for you to consider it, make an appointment to visit nursing homes in your area. During each visit, take time to meet with the director and the staff. It is helpful, also, to tour the facilities so that you can get a good idea of the amenities and quality of care provided. While the decision to place a loved one in a residential nursing facility is sure to be a difficult one, it is often the best solution for both you and the health and well-being of your loved one.