With over 15,000 nursing homes in the United States, choosing the right one may be a bit of a challenge. Often times, the decision to put an elderly loved one in a nursing home is not something a family will take lightly.
While allowing a senior to age in place may be something a family wants, in some cases, it is just not possible. If a senior is having time performing routine tasks around their home or can’t be left alone for fear of falling, a nursing home may be a great option.
You may be asking yourself, when is it time for a nursing home? Read below to find out more about the warning signs you may notice when nursing home care is needed.
When is it Time For a Nursing Home? The Need For Around The Clock Care is a Good Indication
If you have an aging parent or relative that has serious medical issues, getting them the best care is a must. In some instances, the condition an elderly person has will require them to get around the clock care.
For most people, providing this care to their aging loved one is not an option due to the work and home life obligations they already have. Rather than letting your elderly loved one go without the care they need, you may need to consider putting them in a nursing home.
Most reputable nursing homes in the Clearwater, FL area have a skilled nursing facility in-house. This means that your aging family member will have no problem getting the help they need.
A Lack of Mobility
As the body ages, it will become harder for a person to do things like walk for long periods of time or lift heavier objects. Some senior citizens have such serious health issues that it prohibits them from being mobile.
This lack of mobility will make it nearly impossible for an elderly person to tidy up their home or get out of the bed by themselves. Ignoring mobility issues can lead to severe injuries, which is why you need to face these problems head-on.
With the help of a nursing home, you can rest assured your loved one gets the help they need with their mobility issues. Nursing homes have a full staff of employees who are willing and able to provide this help.
Signs of Poor Nutrition
If an elderly person is unable to move around as they once did, it can affect their ability to cook for themselves. Are you starting to notice signs of poor nutrition in your elderly loved one?
Instead of waiting until this problem gets worse, you need to talk with the senior citizen in your life about nursing home care. A nursing home will be able to provide an elderly person with delicious and healthy meals three times a day.
Senior citizens who do not eat healthier foods are at a higher risk of injury and disease. While your elderly loved one may be apprehensive about moving into one of these facilities, it may be the best thing for them.
Hygiene Issues
Another common problem that occurs when elderly individuals have when they are in declining health is hygiene issues. If a senior is unable to get in the shower due to mobility issues, it is only a matter of time before their hygiene begins to rapidly decline.
Not only is this lack of hygiene bad for a senior’s teeth and hair, but it can also lead to the development of bed sores. If these sores are not tended to properly, it may lead to serious infections.
The only surefire way to ensure a senior citizen gets the help they need with these tasks is by moving them into a nursing home. Not only will the nursing home provide your elderly loved one with help, but they can also provide you with peace of mind.
The Inability to Stick to a Medication Schedules
Is your elderly loved one having problems with sticking to a medication schedule? If so, this may be a sign that they need to move into a nursing home.
Senior citizens who forget to take their medicine may wind up in the hospital as a result. The staff at a nursing home will help a senior maintain their medication schedules.
The nursing staff in a nursing home can also address any issues that a person may be experiencing with their current medication. With this comprehensive level of care, a senior will be much happier and healthier.
The Constant Need for Specialist Care
As a person ages, their need for medical specialist care will usually increase. If a person has to seek out regular help for physical therapy or wound care, going into a nursing home may be their best bet.
Since the specialists an elderly person needs will be right in the nursing home facility, it will provide them with a higher degree of convenience.
Before choosing a nursing home for your elderly loved one, be sure to do your homework. You need to make sure the facility in question has the level of care your loved one needs.
Falls are Becoming a Frequent Occurrence
While experiencing a fall may be no big deal for a healthy young person, they can be quite damaging for an older person. When falls become a frequent occurrence for a senior citizen, getting them into a nursing home is usually the best course of action.
A nursing home will provide a senior citizen with around the clock supervision and care. This means there will be less of a chance of them falling and hurting themselves.
Take Time to Find the Right Nursing Home
Still unsure about when is it time for a nursing home? Consulting with professionals in the nursing home industry is a great way to get some guidance when trying to make this difficult decision.
Are you looking for more information about nursing homes and how beneficial they are? If so, be sure to check out our blogs on this subject.
