7 Signs A Care Home May Be The Best Option For Your Family

Caring for our grandparents can be a thrilling experience. That is until their physical and mental health falls into a steep decline. It almost feels like a sin to consider passing on the responsibility of caring for our loved one to another person. More so, to have an elderly move to a nursing home or an aged care home. 

There could be many reasons for these apprehensions. First and perhaps the most important; family members don’t think that their loved one will receive the best care in senior care facilities. Additionally, family members may feel it’s their sworn duty to take care of “granny” until their last breath.  

However, in some cases, aged care facilities and the professionals employed in institutions such as Family first home care, are the most qualified to manage the complex needs of a senior citizen.    

Below are the signs that tell you to choose professional care over home care for your ailing loved one.  

• A Specialized Medical Care is Needed  

Most seniors are suffering from serious medical issues, such as dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, and Multiple Sclerosis (MS), among other conditions. This makes caring for them more challenging. 

With their knowledge and training, medical specialists in care facilities are able to create a treatment plan which professional caregivers know how to implement to a tee. There are specialty centers that cater to specific conditions, for instance, an assisted living facility for Alzheimer’s disease sufferers.  

• Difficulties in Providing Hands-on Care  

Along with deteriorating health, an elderly patient may not be able to perform basic movements on their own and may become irritable. This demands more physical, mental, and psychological resiliency from the caregiver. 

If the elder’s primary caregiver is perpetually exhausted and frustrated, it may be a sign that a care home is the best option.

• The Elderly Become Prone to Accidents 

With the physical and mental decline, seniors may also become more susceptible to accidents, such as slip and fall. If the caregiver is always worried about the safety of a loved one when they’re not together, it may be best to consider an assisted living or a nursing home facility.

In these centers, care and monitoring are done 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can rest assured that your granny is taken care of round-the-clock. 

• Drastic Weight Loss

Drastic weight loss may be caused by physical and mental health. For instance, the senior may no longer have the strength to cook, or may not be able to buy groceries. Reduced weight may also be a symptom of an underlying health problem such as cancer, dementia, and depression.

Seniors need to stay healthy by following a strict diet plan. This may be challenging if the elderly can’t function properly or if the primary caregiver in the family has work or other responsibilities. 

• The Elderly Are Often Alone    

It’s common for seniors to feel isolated and fall into depression. Companionship is then very important to maintain their mental and emotional health, which could then contribute to their well-being.      

Even if the senior is completely capable of performing daily activities and “look healthy”, you’ll never know how he or she feels inside. If transferred to an assisted living or another elderly care facility, the senior may have a reinvigorated social life.    

• Perilous Behaviors

Degrading mental and physical health, as well as memory loss, may cause your loved one to inadvertently engage in life-threatening activities, for instance, driving clumsily. You may also notice your granny having bruises, cuts, that your relative can’t explain.  

Because of memory loss or disorientation, your loved one may start to wander aimlessly. This can be extremely dangerous to dementia or Alzheimer’s patient, especially if living along a busy street. Asking the same questions repetitively, getting lost, unable to follow instructions, getting confused about locations, familiar people and time, have perilous implications. If this happens more than once, it may be best to consider professional help.  

• Extreme Aggressiveness

Cognitive impairment and memory loss may also contribute to extreme mood swings or irritability in a senior. In some cases, your loved one may turn hostile against your or any family member. This unreasonable behavior can be dangerous to a non-trained caregiver.   

Care facility staff are trained to handle these difficult situations while ensuring patients’ safety at all times.   

What Should I Look for in an Aged Care Facility?

If your family is considering placement, these are the basic things that your need to look at, to ensure that your loved one will receive the best care:  

• Stable Finances 

• Contract Terms  

• Staff Expertise 

• Residents 

• Overall Atmosphere 

• Socialization Programs

• Facility Design and Features

•  Services

Because the elderly have special and complex needs, it may be difficult to get on top of everything as the primary caregiver in the family. If this happens, you’re not the only one who suffers, but more so, your loved one. 

In some cases, a placement in an aged facility may restore happiness and enhance the quality of life in an elderly resident.

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