Making the decision to put your ailing and elderly parent into a nursing home facility is never easy or simple. No one wants to end up in a nursing home and no one wants to subject a loved one to that fate. Yet, are nursing homes really all that bad? There are risks and benefits both to choosing a home and to opting for in-home companion care instead.
When the senior citizen in question doesn?t want to be moved into a nursing home, the transition can be heartbreaking and downright traumatic for everyone involved. On the flip side, nursing homes offer many benefits for both the family of the patient and the patient. Like all elderly care options, each solution has pros and cons that will vary in importance depending on your unique situation.
One of the biggest benefits a nursing home can lend to you is giving your loved one around the clock medical care. This means immediate assistance as needed with everything from taking pills, bathing and emergencies. The community aspect of nursing homes is another big plus that most other elder care options simply can?t contend with.
Nursing homes are far more regulated today than they used to be, yet the terrible stories of the past continue to color the opinion of nursing homes. The federal government makes it their job to evaluate, license and regulate nursing homes so an adequate level of care is maintained.
Because of all these benefits, nursing homes do cost a pretty penny. In fact, unless you are wealthy or your loved one set aside money for just this event, it is most likely you won?t be able to choose a nursing home without going into debt.
The negative emotional effects of nursing homes are perhaps the most concerning. Being moved from a familiar home to a sterile facility away from family and friends can have detrimental effects on the health of residents.
A loss of freedom is also inherent in choosing a nursing home. There is only so much flexibility that can be expected from a facility schedule of events, activities, meals, medical care and more. Visiting hours are often a concern for families who want to be able to see their elderly relative at any time during the day and night.
The main downside to nursing home life depends on the patient?s unique situation. Some people feel the loss of freedom most deeply while others feel ungrounded and out of place when moved out of their home. For patients with dementia and other disorienting illnesses, the transition can seriously affect their mental and emotional health.
Think about what your family member wants or doesn?t want and what will be provide them with the safest and happiest living situation. You can avoid the emotional and financial stress of facility nursing homes by instead choosing home medical care for your loved one. Companion care provides the happiest and healthiest options for most elderly people.
I?m a healthcare consultant specializing in senior home care. Click here for more information.
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