When you become a parent, you see the world through entirely new eyes. You see danger where you didn’t notice it before, especially when it comes to little ones. However, that’s also true when you think about your own parents. As they age, you start to take on a more parental role in their well-being, doing what you can to protect them from harm. You want to do what’s right for your parents and ensure they are well-cared for, even if you cannot always be there.
While it’s a difficult decision, there may come a time when you consider a nursing home for your parents. Below, we’ll discuss four signs it may be time to seek alternative care arrangements and what to look out for at nursing facilities.
Reasons a Nursing Home May Be Right for Your Parents
Nursing homes can feel like giving up. After all, your parents cared for you growing up, and you want to return the favor. However, that’s not always in the best interest of your parent’s health, especially if they have medically complex needs. Here are four reasons a nursing home may be right for your parents.
1. They Keep Falling
As you age, it’s not always as easy to move around as it once was. Your parents can be moving slower or trip over their feet. With small children in the home, keeping floors free from tripping hazards can be difficult, which can cause your parents to stumble.
Falls can be devastating for the elderly, especially if they break. In fact, studies suggest there is a correlation between broken hips and mortality rates, especially if the injury is left untreated. Now, that’s not to say that falls don’t happen within nursing homes. It’s estimated that about 8 million residents fall each year, and some even fall multiple times.
However, they are trained professionals who are being paid to care for your parents. It is their responsibility to make sure they are protected from falls. If they do not uphold their end of the bargain, they can be sued by a nursing home falls and fractures lawyer like Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers. Not only can you receive compensation for medical bills and pain and suffering, but you can also hold the facility accountable so no one else will be injured.
While it can be nerve-wracking to entrust the care of your parents to someone else, you have options. And, if they don’t do it well, you can always change facilities and pursue legal action.
2. They’re Missing Medication
As you age, you may need to take more medication to control various medical issues. Many people use pill organizers to help them stay on track with their medication. They fill up their organizers each Sunday to ensure they have taken their medicines. Some tech-savvy individuals may set reminders on their phones and take their pills every day at the same time.
It can be difficult to know for sure if your parents are taking their medication unless you are present when they do. If their health conditions recur or worsen, it can be a sign that they are not properly medicated. Nursing homes administer medicine and observe patients to ensure they are taking it.
3. They’re Showing Signs of Dementia
Our mind isn’t as sharp as it once was as we age, and it can eventually turn into dementia. Individuals with dementia experience memory loss and forgetfulness. They may think they are in a different time or forget how to get home. They may struggle with doing routine tasks and speaking.
Some individuals may experience changes in their mood and sleeping patterns. Your parents may not act like themselves anymore, and you can no longer keep them safe. Nursing homes are trained to care for patients with dementia and understand the best ways to keep them calm and coax them back to the current day.
4. They’re Unable to Care for Themselves
Changes in hygiene and cleanliness can indicate that a person can no longer care for themselves. You may notice they are starting to smell like body odor or human excrement. Maybe they are wearing the same clothes multiple days in a row or have mess caked on their faces, hands, and fingernails.
If you visit their home, you may find messes, dirty dishes, and general disarray. This can create tripping hazards, making it easier for your loved one to fall. You can help out or hire someone to clean and care for them. However, it may become too much for you and your loved ones to handle over time.
Conclusion
Discuss care options with your parents before you decide to place them in a nursing home. They have a say in the care they receive, and they can help pick out facilities that meet their needs. It’s a difficult decision, but one that can keep them healthy and happy for many more years.
