The needs of a senior citizen can vary over the years. Many younger senior citizens are healthy and active, and they are able to continue to live independently or with their loved ones at home for many years. However, over time, the physical and emotional needs of a senior can change. For example, a senior may develop health issues that require regular medical assistance from a nurse, doctors or other healthcare providers. Some even need around-the-clock care to address all of their needs. In addition to the physical needs for assistance, some older adults also crave the company of friends and senior companions. Elder loneliness is a serious issue that can lead to depression and other conditions that you may be concerned about.
While some seniors are cared for by in-home staff or family members on a regular basis, there are benefits associated with relocating seniors to nursing homes. Nursing homes offer substantial advantages that can improve the quality of life for a senior who you care about. When you understand more about the benefits that nursing homes can provide in comparison to other housing and care options that you may be thinking about, you may decide to start looking into some of the facilities nearby where your loved one could be relocated to.
Around-The-Clock Care For Seniors
Many seniors have mobility issues, and they are also not able to properly maintain a clean, safe, home environment for themselves. They may also be unable to get dressed independently, or they may forget to take their medication as needed. These are only a few of the many challenges that a senior could face, and these challenges could affect their well-being and safety. Some families choose to set up in-home care around-the-clock for a loved one. However, around-the-clock care from a nurse inside the home can be cost-prohibitive. In addition, a senior who needs specialized medical assistance may not get out of the house much. Therefore, the issue of elder loneliness becomes a concern.
In a nursing home, your loved one could enjoy numerous benefits that he or she may not currently have access to. This includes regular treatment as needed from a nurse or doctors. In addition to medical care provided on-site for many issues and concerns, your loved one may receive around-the-clock care for mobility, hygiene, housekeeping and more. Generally, you may find that it is much more cost-effective for your loved one to live in a nursing home when this level of care is needed rather than to pay for around-the-clock care inside the home.
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”Next” ]Medical Assistance For Those Who Need It
Some seniors need medical assistance on a regular basis, like if they have a serious cardiovascular issue or trouble managing their diabetes. Others may be reasonably healthy, and they may only need medical attention from time to time. Nursing homes usually have on-staff medical professionals to deal with many common issues that seniors face. Some have doctors who visit the facility regularly as well, or transportation is provided as needed to get seniors to their off-site doctor appointments. If you are concerned about your loved one getting quality medical attention as needed, you can see that this is one of the benefits that nursing homes provide to their residents.
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”Next” ]Provides Senior Companions
When a senior lives at home, the individual may be very isolated. Visits from loved ones may be unfortunately few and far between. Friends may no longer be as mobile as they used to be, or some may have even passed away. The medical staff may be the only people who visit a senior at home regularly, and this is usually the same two or three people each day. In nursing homes, seniors come in contact with many medical care providers each day. More than that, senior companions may volunteer to read books, host bingo or provide other types of social services. Family visits are also encouraged to add variety to the residents’ days.
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”Next” ]Living With People Your Same Age
Having access to senior companions on a regular basis is a great way to ward off elder loneliness. When a senior lives with people of a different age, such as younger family members, the senior may feel someone isolated or alienated. After all, these people are in different stages of life. On the other hand, when a senior lives with people who are roughly the same age as they are in nursing homes, they can have ample time to sit down and talk to their friends who may empathize with them or relate to them better. These may be individuals who they dine with, play bingo with and more.
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”Next” ]Family and Friends Can Easily Visit
The best nursing homes have an open door policy so that friends and family members can visit at any time. Visits may not be encouraged during off hours when most residents may be sleeping, but they may be permitted and even encouraged during typical waking hours. The reality is that seniors may never be off limits our out of touch when they stay in a nursing home with an open door policy.
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”Next” ]Community Activities
Seniors who live at home can easily get bored, restless, unhappy and depressed. They may feel as though the long, dull hours drag on each day and that life is no longer full of fun activities or excitement. Nursing homes, however, usually structure many community activities and events that they may find to be enjoyable. Some shuttle seniors to movies, plays and shopping centers regularly. Others bring activities into the center, such as when pets visit the facility or when local school groups perform a choir performance.
[/nextpage] [nextpage title=”Next” ]Comfortable and Customized Rooms
When you look at the advantages that nursing homes provide, the customization of the rooms is critical. A nursing home can seem like a sterile, inhospitable environment at first glance, but keep in mind that many facilities allow these comfortable rooms to be decorated reasonably for personalization. They can be very home-like. More than that, customized rooms may have safety features that your loved one needs, such as railings in the bathrooms or nighttime illumination.
From safe yet comfortable rooms to on-site medical assistance, community events and more, nursing homes offer substantial benefits that your loved one may not have access to in any other type of residential environment. Because nursing homes can vary, it is important to carefully review the options and to visit your top options several times with your senior before making a final decision.
[/nextpage]