When faced with a relative showing signs of frailty, whether mental or physical, as a result of old age, many people – albeit with heavy hearts – worry that it may be time for them to be moved into a nursing home. Nursing homes provide a very important service, allowing people to spend their final days in a safe place where they are cared for and have company.
While you do hear bad stories of some nursing homes, the majority are well staffed, well maintained, and treat their residents with care and dignity. However, a nursing home should still be a last resort when other options like in home care have been exhausted. Here is why:
Expense
While care in a nursing home is in many cases necessary towards the end of a person's life, the expense can be a lot, and can mean that the person has to sell their home or give up other things they may have intended to leave to their families. If they don't have these kinds of assets, it can be a financial burden on the rest of the family.
As a result of this, the later you make the move, the less the financial implication will be. Of course, you're never going to put money before your family's wellbeing, but if there are options that keep your relative in their own home while still granting them the care they need, or if you can look after them adequately in your home for the time being, then this is going to be better.
Preference
While every person is different, the majority of people are reluctant to give up their independence and leave their homes for a nursing home, even if they accept they are no longer able to cope on their own. This can be a traumatic and upsetting time for the whole family, and so if it can be avoided altogether with a more attractive solution, or at least put off until it is the only option, this can make things better for everyone involved in the decision.
Quality of Life
While nursing homes these days offer their residents, in many cases, good food, entertainment and company, it is still for many a less interesting and occupying lifestyle than being in their own home or with family. Even just having the freedom to watch what they want, when they want on TV and sleep and eat when they like rather than at set times can make a difference, as can things like being able to have their own pets. Many elderly people still have active minds and want their lives to remain as much in their control as possible, even if they need help with physical tasks.
If it is viable to have your elderly family member move in with you or another relative, who has the capability to give them the care they need, or for someone from a home health agency to be brought in to give the required help and assistance, you may well find this is a more financially viable and pleasant solution than using a nursing home at this time. Of course, you will have to keep monitoring the level of care they need as residential care may become the only option at a later point.
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