Whether it’s your spouse, parent, sibling, close relative or friend, taking the decision to move the person you love the most into a nursing home can be emotional and challenging.
And if you’re currently considering taking this important step, you might be wondering why it’s a good idea.
To help you decide, in this short blog post, we take a look at 5 reasons why moving into a nursing home makes sense.
1. It offers safety, security, and peace of mind
No matter if you care for your loved one in the same home, or if you visit them several times a day, looking after someone by yourself can be both physically and emotionally draining.
There’s so much to consider, from washing and toileting to dietary requirements and tracking medication and doctor’s appointments — it’s little wonder so many caregivers suffer from stress, burnout and depression.
So, above all else, the main reason for moving someone into a nursing home is to give them (and yourself) the peace of mind that they’re being well looked after.
A nursing home provides experts on hand 24/7 to deal with nursing or medical issues, while the highly-trained carers know how to safely and correctly move residents without risk of falling or injury.
2. It gives your loved one a healthier lifestyle
One of the most overlooked aspects of caring for someone at home is making sure they’re getting enough exercise and eating the right things.
It can be difficult to consistently prepare nutritious meals when you’re balancing work with caregiving, and this can often lead to bad habits creeping into your daily routine.
And then there are biological changes to consider. Are there certain foods your loved one can no longer eat? Or will some foods interact poorly with their medication? Again, it’s another in a long list of things you need to stay on top of.
By moving your loved one into a nursing home, you relieve yourself of this responsibility and instead place it into the hands of trained experts. Professional carers understand elderly nutrition and have the means to track dietary and medication requirements.
3. It provides more opportunities for socialisation & activities
When you look after someone at home, it’s understandable that your focus remains on the care aspect of the relationship. But this means that socialising and activities can sometimes fall by the wayside.
Socialisation is crucial to our health and wellbeing, no matter our age — but it’s especially important as we get older. It can help improve mood and quality of life, slow memory loss, and even potentially support brain health.
The opportunity to take part in activities and socialise with fellow nursing home residents remains a huge attraction for new residents and their families. It becomes every bit as important as the care provided. And asking about the programme of activities should be high on your list of questions to ask before choosing a nursing home.
4. It doesn’t have to be permanent (respite care)
One of the reasons why some people might resist moving their loved one into a nursing home is because they think it needs to be permanent. But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
If your loved one suffers a fall, or they’re recuperating from an operation, you can choose a nursing home to provide respite care until they (and you) are ready to resume living at home.
5. Because it’s the right thing to do (for everyone involved)
Being a family caregiver can be stressful, tiring, and life-changing. It transforms your relationship from husband and wife or child and parent to one of nurse and patient.
Many people feel guilty even thinking about moving their loved one into a nursing home, but you need to know that it’s not selfish. In fact, in most cases, it’s the right thing to do for everyone involved.
Instead of placing your own life on hold, you can hand over the caregiving responsibilities to the professionals and resume the relationship where you’re someone’s daughter or son, wife or husband, brother, sister, or best friend.
At this time in your loved one’s life, that’s what they need the most.
Would you like to talk?
We understand that moving a loved one into a nursing home can be a difficult process for all involved. And it’s not something that should be taken lightly.
That’s why, at Fulford Nursing Home, we work with each resident and their loved ones to create a bespoke care plan, which includes everything from the little quirks to the important necessities.
If you’d like to talk with one of our friendly staff members, please contact us on 01904 654 269. We’re ready to listen and happy to help.