No kid wants to put their parents into a nursing home unless absolutely necessary, but is this resistance a good representation of what assisted living centers really have to offer? More and more people are finding that in home medical services such as companion care allow them to ensure their loved one is receiving the best care. Let's look at the good and bad to guide your decision.
Taking a fragile family member out of their familiar environment and inserting them suddenly in a sterile, unknown and utilitarian facility is difficult on many levels for both the caregivers and patient. Yet, nursing homes do have advantages, too.
For one thing, this provides 24 hour care for your loved one. This means they will never be unable to get help when they need it. Medical care from trained professionals will always be close by. There is incredible community offered at nursing homes, too, and having a full in house schedule of activities makes it easy for your loved one to stay entertained.
They are much safer than they used to be, too. Unlike in the past, the federal government monitors and evaluates nursing homes to make sure they are medically and emotionally safe, healthy and reasonably comfortable.
For many families, the worst thing among a nursing home is the high price. In fact, most people cannot afford long term nursing home care for their ailing family members. If your loved one has a retirement fund, a nursing home is a reasonable choice. Otherwise, it will likely break your bank account.
The emotional cost is what stops even those who have money from choosing a nursing home for their loved one. Not only is the transition from a familiar and comforting environment difficult on those in poor health or advanced age, the lack of familial community at the new home may cause additional stress.
A loss of freedom is also inherent in choosing this. There is only so much flexibility that can be expected from a facility schedule of events, activities, meals, medical care and more. Visiting hours are often a concern for families who want to be able to see their elderly relative at any time during the day and night.
The main downside to nursing home life depends on the patient's unique situation. Some people feel the loss of freedom most deeply while others feel ungrounded and out of place when moved out of their home. For patients with dementia and other disorienting illnesses, the transition can seriously affect their mental and emotional health.
To avoid these stresses, companion care is an affordable and effective alternative. This option involves in-home medical care as well as company for the patient. Your loved on can stay in their home but still get the socializing and medical benefits of living in a facility.
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