Disclosure: In any review for a product or service, products or compensation may have been provided to me to help facilitate my review. All opinions are my own and honest. I am disclosing this in accordance with FTC Guidelines. Please see “Disclose” and "Terms of Use" tabs for more information.
There’s no two ways about it: our bodies (and sometimes our minds) are prone to deterioration with
age, and some are more susceptible than others. None of us can stave off the ravages of time forever,
but if we have good genes and we eat right, exercise, and practice safety first, many of us can stay fit,
healthy, and active for the majority of our lives. Unfortunately, there may come a time in every elderly
person’s life when outside care is needed. So if you are trying to find the best way to help an elderly
relative and you’re not sure if a nursing home is right, here are a few things you’ll want to consider.
Before you settle on a nursing home, you’ll want to go over all the options. A nursing home is probably
the most extreme choice for elder care and should be considered only if other options are unsuitable
(since it may also be the most costly). If your senior relative simply can’t afford the costs of a private
home or he can no longer manage a household, then perhaps a senior living community or a retirement
home will suffice (where he can get help with cleaning, grocery shopping, and so on). Or you may
choose to bring your relative into your own home at far less expense. A nursing home provides for
medical care and constant supervision, so it’s a good bet for those that need attention that other
facilities can’t provide.
As for what types of conditions necessitate entry into this type of institution, there are several signs that
the time may be approaching to place your relative in a nursing home. An inability to care for oneself is
the first criteria. If an elderly person in your care cannot feed or clothe himself without assistance, or if
he cannot see to his own medication, then help is definitely required. If he is confined to bed, he needs
round-the-clock medical care, or he exhibits signs of mental deterioration (dementia, Alzheimer’s), a
nursing home could also be the best option. In truth, you need to start considering this type of facility
when your elderly loved one can no longer care for himself and when the burden of his care becomes
too much for you to handle. And if he poses any danger to himself or others, you should definitely look
into outside care options.
But don’t think that all facilities are the same. Although there are laws to govern these facilities, they
vary by state and nation. Montreal nursing homes could be vastly different from ones in Los Angeles
or London, so you need to exercise due diligence when choosing a facility. Some specialize in certain
types of maladies while some are more general. Some have doctors on staff while others employ mainly
nurses. And some take Medicaid or other types of insurance while some are privately funded and some
will require you to pay out of pocket. The point is, making the decision to place your elderly relative into
a nursing home is only the beginning of the process. From there it is up to you to make sure that you
choose a facility where your senior relative is healthy, happy, and receiving the best possible care.
Are you trying to tell me something…lol
This is a good article with information that almost everyone at one time or another will have to consider. Thanks!
good knowledge to have