Things To Consider When Choosing Nursing Services For Your Elderly Loved Ones

Updated on August 24, 2020
Back view of nurse caregiver support walking with elderly woman outdoor

There comes a time in every adult’s life when they need to accept the fact that their body isn’t functioning as well as it used to. It may seem as if they always encounter difficulties in movement due to the stiffness in their joints and muscles.

While your parents or grandparents may cherish their independence, it may be high time to have someone take care of them and help them with daily activities, like getting dressed and cooking. Fortunately, you can enlist the help of professional nursing services for your loved ones, which can keep an eye on them on your behalf. This setup is particularly valuable if you’re living in another town or you travel a lot for your job. 

You have the option of hiring in-home care or enrolling them in a dedicated nursing facility. For the former, you should peruse the in-home nursing services from Home Nursing with Heart. The company can even help with your loved one’s rehabilitation therapy and other types of care right at the comfort of their home.

If you’re thinking about hiring someone to care for your elderly loved ones, here are the things to consider when choosing nursing services:

1. Your Loved One’s Needs

The needs of your parents and grandparents should be your top priority. Most of the time, they may feel as if they’re doing well on their own when, in fact, they keep on forgetting to drink their medications or go to the doctor for their regular check-ups.

Watch out for signs that your loved one is overlooking their well-being. For instance, they may be saying that they’re eating, but you notice that their food is always getting spoiled in the fridge. This could indicate that they forget to prepare and eat their meals.

Another red flag is when they keep on getting bruises due to accidents. It could mean that they’re facing challenges in navigating their home.

On your end, as a caregiver, you should also take a step back and objectively assess whether you are still able to provide the best level of care for your parents or grandparents. You may not even notice it, but you may be neglecting your well-being. With this, you run the risk of developing burnout, which isn’t beneficial for you or your loved one.

2. Type Of Nursing Service

One of the best ways to go about when nursing your elderly loved ones is to keep care at home as much as possible. This is because their house serves as a haven and refuge. It’s where they feel most comfortable. You don’t want to inflict more pressure on them, especially if they’re still hesitant to get a nurse or caregiver.

This setup works for a majority of older adults if they don’t have any major health concerns. These are the benefits of in-home care for seniors:

  • Comfort – The best thing about this setup is that you can ensure that your loved one will be secure since they’ll just be in their home. Someone will just come in to assist them with day-to-day activities.
  • Customized Care – Another advantage of in-home care is that you can pick the services according to your and your family’s needs. Your parents or grandparents won’t need to adjust to the schedules and routines imposed by a care facility.
  • Full Attention – In a nursing home, there’ll be others who might compete for the attention of the nurses. When your elderly loved one opts for in-home care, they’re provided with one professional caregiver who’ll personally attend to their needs.
  • Cost-Effectiveness – Home care service providers charge by the hour, so you have the liberty to choose the schedule that would suit your monthly budget. You can also get a discount for 24-hour live-in care during those times when your loved ones need constant monitoring.
  • Independence – Freedom and autonomy can be a significant concern for your parents or grandparents. In-home care can help them remain in control of their daily life, such as their schedules and routines.
  • Family Involvement – Unlike in a care facility, you and your family won’t have to fuss over driving to the nursing home just to spend a few minutes with your elderly loved one. If they stay at their primary residence, you can pop in for a visit anytime you like.

On the other hand, as much as you may want to keep your parents or grandparents at home, it’s sometimes better to make them live in a nursing home. This option is ideal when your elderly loved ones require intensive medical attention and equipment.

Some key advantages of nursing homes include the following:

  • 24/7 Assistance – You can be assured that your elderly loved one can get the assistance they deserve when they need it. This is valuable if they have a severe illness and need to be monitored constantly.
  • Healthcare Facilities – Nursing homes are equipped with the latest healthcare facilities. This is why it’s better to enroll your parents or grandparents in one when they have health problems so that they can get sufficient attention and care from trained professionals with the appropriate tools.
  • Safety And Security – If your parents or grandparents live far from you, they might be targeted by fraudsters and burglars. There’s also the risk of becoming victims of violent crimes. Setting them up in a nursing home can help you avoid these potential problems with regard to their safety and security.
  • Social Engagement – Your elderly loved ones may also enjoy being with other people of similar age. Being in a community, like the ones in care facilities, can help alleviate the loneliness that may plague them in their old age.
  • Housekeeping – Another good thing about going to a nursing home is that you and your parents or grandparents won’t have to worry about chores since the facility can do that on your behalf. Housekeeping is one of the basic care services that your elderly loved ones need. The center can take care of cooking as well, so your parents or grandparents can have regular meal times.
  • Tech Support – Lastly, your elderly loved ones can get access and assistance to modern resources. For example, the staff can help them craft or read emails from their family and support them when they need to do the likes of video calls.
Panorama of a happy nurse with a stethoscope covering an elderly man with a blanket in a nursing home

3. Amenities

Your loved one can enjoy a wide range of amenities, especially state-of-the-art healthcare tools and equipment. With these, you can ensure that they receive the personal as well as medical care that they need and deserve.

These are the amenities that can be found in care facilities:

  • Well-Being – This type of home assists your parents and grandparents in their day-to-day movements to promote their well-being. Centers that think about the accessibility of their establishments have grab bars and ample space for walkers or wheelchairs in their rooms or homes.
  • Personalization – Some facilities offer a high level of personalization, such as providing seniors with control over the heating and air conditioning in their rooms. Most of the time, residents can change up the look of their rooms as well.
  • Kitchen – All nursing facilities have kitchens that provide meals and snacks. You may also want to look for a home with 24/7 cafes for your loved one’s late-night cravings. 
  • Housekeeping – As mentioned above, care homes offer housekeeping services so that you and your loved one will no longer have to worry about this aspect of daily living. From linens to their clothes, you can leave these all up to the facility’s staff.
  • Pampering – For more holistic care, there are nursing homes that offer beauty services to keep residents feel confident and look great. They can sign up for hairstyling and grooming services, as well as manicures, and pedicures. There may also be in-house massage therapists for some much-needed muscle relaxation.
  • Health – Fitness centers are also a must-have amenity to keep residents strong. Some facilities may even have free personal trainers and therapy pools. Mental health is important as well, so you may find libraries and specialized memory training programs for activities that promote and improve cognition.
  • Recreation – Fun is another crucial aspect to consider. You want your elderly loved one to enjoy being in a community with people of the same age. Most assisted living facilities have a game parlor where residents can play cards and board games with each other.

4. Activities

Most elderly care homes develop programs to keep residents engaged. That’s why they usually have a game parlor where people can play together. More than that, they ought to have a roster of activities as well so that their populace doesn’t grow bored with life in the facility.

A few helpful programs that a potential nursing home must have are:

  • Workshops – It’s never too late to learn a new skill. Your elderly loved one can register for various classes to acquire knowledge on painting and even woodworking.
  • Dance Sessions – Dancing combines physical exercise and recreation, which is why it’s one of the favorite activities in nursing homes. They can learn ballroom techniques, as well as line, swing, and square dancing.
  • Entertainment – They can be regaled by stand-up comedians or visiting choirs. Another way would be through drama groups that offer real-life entertainment.
  • Fitness Classes – The facility should also offer variations of fitness classes, such as Tai Chi, Yoga, and Zumba. Swimming and gardening are also viable options for health activities.
  • Music Get-Togethers – Karaoke nights and singing contests are events that residents can look forward to. These are opportunities for them to showcase their musical talents.
  • Game Nights – Another community-based activities would be game nights. The games can range from trivia, Sudoku, Bingo, chess, and crossword puzzles. 
  • Special Events – To engage the residents further, the facility can organize special events that the seniors host. These could be carnival or art and fashion shows that will get them involved with the community.
  • Outdoor Excursions – Lastly, the center can organize picnics, nature trail hikes, and field trips to local museums or plays. It’s another thing that the residents can look forward to on their calendars.

5. Cost

Aside from the amenities and services that assisted living provides, you should also take into consideration you and your family’s capability to pay for the care of your elderly loved one. Of course, your parents or grandparents can use their insurance and retirement nest egg to pay the facility.

Nonetheless, you should keep inflation in mind. With this, it’s best to prepare for this type of accommodation as much as you can.

The average monthly cost for assisted living is USD$4,000, with an annual total of USD$48,000. This can be a hefty sum if you and your family don’t plan for it beforehand, especially if you have loved ones who need this type of attention.

6. Quality Of Care

Research is a valuable tool in determining how well a nursing home takes care of its residents. Read up on reviews online about the experiences of families with loved ones in the same facility.

Make sure to visit the place personally so that you can see what happens in the center’s day-to-day activities. If you can, you should pop up for a surprise visit so that you can gauge the quality of care that the staff provides. Try to talk to the residents as well, and get their feedback on the accommodation, services, and amenities.

You don’t want your parents or grandparents to suffer abuse or neglect at the hands of strangers. That’s why you should be meticulous in choosing a nursing home for them.

7. Credibility 

Another reason to read reviews and talk to residents is to ensure the reliability of a nursing home. You should find an establishment that has a genuine heart to care for their residents.

Conclusion

It may be high time for you to enlist the help of professional nursing service providers for your elderly loved ones, especially if you’re no longer able to give them the level and quality of care they need. You can choose from in-home care to nursing homes, depending on your family member’s physical, mental, and emotional conditions. Consider the factors above when choosing a nursing center for your loved ones to ensure their well-being.

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