Nursing Home Resident
Aging is usually associated with loss of mobility, memory loss and other serious medical conditions. When a senior has serious illness, it makes it impossible for seniors to continue living alone without regular help and support. As a result, seniors and families resort to assisted living, nursing homes or other senior care options.
In This Senior Housing Article:
The Assisted Living Option
Nursing Home Option
When Assisted Living Is No Longer Adequate
Making The Nursing Home Transition
Like everyone else, seniors value and cherish their freedom and independence by living alone. However, there comes a point when a move to an assisted living or nursing home may be necessary. When seniors no longer feel safe in their own home or need help with activities of daily living, an assisted living facility or assisted living community may be a good option. However, if the senior has a medical condition or health-related issues that require 24-hour medical supervision, nursing home option should be considered.
The Assisted Living Option
Seniors struggling with physical or mental disability should look into the possibility of an Assisted living option. Getting injured from a fall, starting a fire while trying to cook and unsafe driving are good indications that assisted living care should be considered.
Assisted living facilities allow elderly people to live with a degree of independence while still receiving assistance with activities of daily living like dressing, bathing, cooking, cleaning or grooming. Seniors in assisted living facilities may also receive some assistance with basic health care tasks, however, monitoring and treatment of serious illness or disability is generally not provided in an assisted living facility or assisted living community.
Assisted living communities offer an apartment-style living, with plenty of common areas for residents to get together to socialize and participate in a variety of group activities. Assisted Living communities usually have senior care staff members that are on call 24 hours a day, ready to give residents any immediate medical or special assistance they might need.
Nursing Home for Long-Term Care
For those suffering from serious health conditions, moving to a nursing home may be the only realistic senior care option. Showing severe signs of Alzheimer’s disease, mental confusion or deterioration are some of the signs that will tell you nursing home has should definitely be considered.
Nursing homes can provide around-the-clock nursing care for seniors who need constant medical attention, but don’t need to be in a hospital. Nursing home staff members are available 24 hours a day to ensure that all the medical and personal needs of the residents are being taken cared of.
Nursing homes typically provide entertainment, social activities and other senior care services that are designed to help seniors stay as active and engaged as possible, despite any physical and mental challenges they may face. Nevertheless, some seniors may still have a negative impression about nursing homes. Some seniors think that they will lose their independence and privacy once the move to a nursing home.
When Assisted Living is No Longer Enough
Assisted living can be an excellent choice for seniors who are in the early stages of losing their ability to function independently and need help with activities of daily living. But for those whose loss of independence and self-sufficiency is progressive, the assisted living solution may only be a viable option for a limited period of time.
Deciding to move your elderly loved one to a nursing home may be one of the toughest decisions you will ever make. However, there comes a point when the severity of your aging loved one’s medical condition is best met in a nursing home.
Moving to a nursing home allows seniors to receive the level of assistance and care they need to live their golden years to the fullest. By focusing on the positive aspects of the move like how it will benefit and improve the senior’s life can help ensure a stress-free transition.
Preparing Seniors to Make the Transition To Nursing Homes
Despite their progressing medical conditions, seniors may be hesitant to move from an assisted living facility to a nursing home due to the negative stories and reports regarding elder abuse and neglect in nursing homes, but there are things that you can do to help ease the transition.
It is important for family and friends to reassure the senior once they move to a nursing home that they will not be forgotten. Making the commitment to visit and spend time with the senior will help make the nursing home transition easier.
Touring the nursing home before the senior moves in, will give your aging loved one a chance to explore the nursing home facility, talk to staff members and other residents, which hopefully will make them more comfortable with the idea of moving to a nursing home.
Transitioning from an assisted living facility to a nursing home facility can be challenging and very emotional for some seniors. However, with the proper planning, preparation and support from family and friends, the nursing home transition can be less stressful and less emotional.
Copyright © 2015 SeniorCareHomes.com. All Rights Reserved.
Other Assisted Living Articles:
- Choosing The Right Senior Care Facility
- Types of Senior Care Facilities
- Stress Free Moving Tips For Seniors
- Moving Checklist For Seniors
- Rights of Nursing Home Residents
Catharine “Kate” is a Certified Administrator for Residential Care Facilities for the Elderly (RCFE) and an Expert Senior Care Advisor. Kate’s grandmother battled Alzheimer’s Disease and Kate personally understands what millions of families are going through. Kate and her team are very passionate in empowering Seniors and their families by providing them with the Best Available Senior Care Options based on Senior’s care needs, preferred location and family’s budget.
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