subject: Determining Whether A Nursing Home Is Necessary For Elderly Care [print this page] When does it become necessary to admit an elderly member of your family into a nursing home? A recent disability or a progressive illness may make it necessary to consider this option. However, this is not an easy decision for the family. Anger, frustration and guilt are common when you realise your inability to take care of the senior member of your family on your own. However, at times, this is the best solution for you and the elderly individual. It is necessary to have an idea about the circumstances that may prompt such a decision. Consider the following factors before you take this decision:
Getting a professional assessment of elderly care needs is a good idea. Evaluating the specific needs of an elderly individual may not be possible without relevant experience. A professional assessment of this may be a suitable option in such a situation. Whether the elderly individual has problems in handling daily personal activities on his/her own or has problems remembering things, a professional medical team may be necessary to assess the condition and determine the care needs. This assessment forms the basis of the care plan and would also help you decide whether nursing homes would be the right care facility.
Understanding which housing facility would be right for the proper care of the senior family member is another point to consider. At times, a few modifications to the home may be all that is necessary to ensure mobility of the elderly individual without any risk of injuries. For example, installation of a ramp may make it possible to avoid the risk of falling down the stairs. At other times, an assisted housing facility may be the right choice. However, in certain circumstances, round the clock supervision and care may be necessary for the elderly individual, which makes it necessary to opt for a nursing home.
Evaluating the caregivers needs is another important consideration when deciding whether a nursing home would be a better choice than home care. The primary caregiver may have other personal or professional responsibilities that make it difficult to provide adequate care for the elderly individual. Moreover, if an elderly family member requires 24x7 supervision and care, it is impossible for a single caregiver to handle it on his/her own. If other family members are unavailable for help and support, you may have to opt for help from care services at home or at a care facility.
In some situations, specialised care may be necessary for an elderly individual of your family. If he/she has a progressive illness, like Parkinsons or Dementia, caring and supporting such a patient may be difficult without adequate training. For this, you may have to appoint a professional caregiver. Again, providing palliative care for an elderly individual may involve things that require a specialised setting. In such a circumstance, it is necessary to admit the individual into a nursing home. Evaluating the condition of the elderly individual and the caregiver is necessary for determining the right care service.
