Should I put my parent in a Caring House?
Answers
These are nine things to think about when deciding if it’s time to look for a nursing home for your family member.
1. Their safety at home is at risk.
Is your mother now recovering from a recent fall at home? Is your grandfather still capable of doing basic tasks on his own, such as cooking a nice dinner or taking the stairs? Living alone is allowed for seniors, but it might be a risk after a certain age. If you find out that your loved one has trouble with simple daily tasks or has had emergency care come to their home more than once, you should be concerned.
2. The house is in chaos.
There may be safety issues in the older adult’s home because their home is cluttered. There could be a lot of dishes in the sink because it’s been difficult to stand for long periods or bend down to use the dishwasher. Alternatively, the yard might be in disarray because someone can’t mow the lawn or maintain the garden. The small things matter a lot. They’re signals that your parent or grandparent can’t do all they used to and shouldn’t be living alone.
3. Reduced mobility
If someone’s mobility has changed, this is another clue that it’s time to move them into a nursing facility. That’s true even if they’re walking with canes and walking aids. Even if they don’t use any of these things, it’s clear that they aren’t moving the way they used to. There is less stress on the body in a nursing home because you don’t have to work as hard. It means that your loved ones will no longer have to worry about cleaning or cooking and that they will be able to spend more time enjoying themselves. They may relax more, and you can worry less about their body’s strength.
4. They aren’t taking their medicine.
It’s one of the most serious red flags. People shouldn’t play around with medicine. Some older people try to stop taking their medicine or don’t take it without telling their family or doctor. However, it is not an option in a nursing home. Staff will take care of your loved one’s medicines if they move into an assisted living facility. It assures you that they will not do anything to jeopardize their health or the treatment they are receiving.
It’s a very personal question; this entirely depends on you and your situation. If you can handle your parent’s wants and needs, it would be best to keep her with you; however, consider placing her in a caring home if all this is too much for you to take.