Our independence is certainly one of the things that adults value the most, but sometimes as we age, it is no longer possible for us to be fully independent. Making a decision to move from our private home into either a nursing home or an assisted living home can be stressful and traumatic. Here are a few ways to make the process a bit easier.
In some cases, a medical emergency is what triggers the need to seek out nursing home care. A bad fall or a stroke or other medical condition might require around-the-clock nursing care, and so finding a nursing home facility is an essential way to ensure that your loved one is safe and secure. In addition, nursing homes offer rehabilitative services, as well, which can certainly help improve quality of life.
Declining health conditions and not a sudden medical event also can be the catalyst for looking into a nursing home facility. If your loved one needs help with all personal needs, as well as a severe medical issue or issues, then it is probably time to think about either in-home nursing care or a nursing home. The first option allows the person to stay in their own home or your home, but the second option offers care plus the added benefits of a more social situation. This might be more suitable for your loved one, especially if they live alone and have little family nearby.
The selection of a nursing home is easier if you use the services of a company that specializes in matching people to suitable housing situations. CarePlacement.com, for example, has pre-screened and studied hundreds of facilities and can match your loved one with the type of facility that best meets all of his or her needs. This might be some type of assisted living community or a boarding home if their medical needs are low or a nursing facility or in-home nursing care if needed. In-home care can be a great option for someone who lives with a spouse or their child, but if your loved one lives alone, just having a nurse for companionship might not be enough. A nursing home can provide more social opportunities, which might be advantageous.
You will need to visit several nursing homes or interview several in-home care professionals before making your decision. Whenever possible, be sure to let your loved one take part in the selection process, after all, it is their life that is being affected. Obviously, this isn't always possible, so try to select a home where it is close to friends or family members so that visiting is easy. If your loved one already has friends or relatives at a specific facility, this might be a good option and can help reduce anxiety if someone they know is already in residence.
It cannot be stressed enough that this is a highly emotional move for most people, especially if the move is likely to be permanent. Losing your home and most of your belongings can be very traumatic, so be sure to bring along some highly sentimental items along. Decorate the room with family photographs and bring photo albums. Bring some comfortable blankets and pillows and perhaps even a favorite chair or a small furnishing that reminds them of home and makes their room more personal.
Don't forget to create a visitation schedule, so that your loved one will know when to expect visitors. Try to keep the same routine you had before, if possible. So if you had a weekly dinner with your loved one, continue that tradition and simply have dinner at the nursing home. If a person's health permits, don't forget to take them places, as well. Plan out a dinner and movie night or a day of shopping or just an afternoon at the park, and be sure to include your loved one in all family parties and events. Even if he or she tires easily, it can be nice to get out for an hour or two just to enjoy a change of scenery. Another nice thing to do would be to drive a friend over to visit, and don't forget to call and chat. You can work with other friends and family members to make sure that your loved one still feels treasured and appreciated.
In some cases, a medical emergency is what triggers the need to seek out nursing home care. A bad fall or a stroke or other medical condition might require around-the-clock nursing care, and so finding a nursing home facility is an essential way to ensure that your loved one is safe and secure. In addition, nursing homes offer rehabilitative services, as well, which can certainly help improve quality of life.
Declining health conditions and not a sudden medical event also can be the catalyst for looking into a nursing home facility. If your loved one needs help with all personal needs, as well as a severe medical issue or issues, then it is probably time to think about either in-home nursing care or a nursing home. The first option allows the person to stay in their own home or your home, but the second option offers care plus the added benefits of a more social situation. This might be more suitable for your loved one, especially if they live alone and have little family nearby.
The selection of a nursing home is easier if you use the services of a company that specializes in matching people to suitable housing situations. CarePlacement.com, for example, has pre-screened and studied hundreds of facilities and can match your loved one with the type of facility that best meets all of his or her needs. This might be some type of assisted living community or a boarding home if their medical needs are low or a nursing facility or in-home nursing care if needed. In-home care can be a great option for someone who lives with a spouse or their child, but if your loved one lives alone, just having a nurse for companionship might not be enough. A nursing home can provide more social opportunities, which might be advantageous.
You will need to visit several nursing homes or interview several in-home care professionals before making your decision. Whenever possible, be sure to let your loved one take part in the selection process, after all, it is their life that is being affected. Obviously, this isn't always possible, so try to select a home where it is close to friends or family members so that visiting is easy. If your loved one already has friends or relatives at a specific facility, this might be a good option and can help reduce anxiety if someone they know is already in residence.
It cannot be stressed enough that this is a highly emotional move for most people, especially if the move is likely to be permanent. Losing your home and most of your belongings can be very traumatic, so be sure to bring along some highly sentimental items along. Decorate the room with family photographs and bring photo albums. Bring some comfortable blankets and pillows and perhaps even a favorite chair or a small furnishing that reminds them of home and makes their room more personal.
Don't forget to create a visitation schedule, so that your loved one will know when to expect visitors. Try to keep the same routine you had before, if possible. So if you had a weekly dinner with your loved one, continue that tradition and simply have dinner at the nursing home. If a person's health permits, don't forget to take them places, as well. Plan out a dinner and movie night or a day of shopping or just an afternoon at the park, and be sure to include your loved one in all family parties and events. Even if he or she tires easily, it can be nice to get out for an hour or two just to enjoy a change of scenery. Another nice thing to do would be to drive a friend over to visit, and don't forget to call and chat. You can work with other friends and family members to make sure that your loved one still feels treasured and appreciated.
About the Author:
Agatha Lebouef loves reading home health care blogs. For additional info regarding assisted living Carlsbad facilities or for expert help finding board and care Oceanside homes for your loved ones, please visit the CarePlacement.com website today.
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