No one wants to think about getting old, but this is an inevitable phase of life, and the better you prepare yourself for it, the easier it would be! When it comes to making a decision about which senior-care facility you want to choose for your elders, you may have a number of concerns that come to mind. It’s completely normal and you should make sure you ask these questions.
Firstly, if you or your loved one, have a condition that requires you to move into one of the care homes, you should ask if their nurses specialize in the care of that particular condition. Furthermore, ask if the staff have experience with the condition and whether or not they will continue to train their nurses in new techniques related to this condition. You’ll also want to make sure, whether it’s residential or nursing care, if you, or your loved one, are going to be treated with the respect and dignity that any human deserves.
Will they also help you achieve a certain level of independence? What kind of activities does this home put on for its residential guests? Do they, if possible, conduct outings and trips? Do they provide high-quality food or just standard catering? Do they offer a menu full of choice? Will they involve residents in their own decisions? Will they involve the family? And, finally, one of the most important questions to ask relates to the interests of you or your loved one – will staff do everything possible to help you, or your loved one, still enjoy an activity or pastime?
All of the above are basic human rights, and the responses from staff at care homes will tell you all you need to know about how much they value their residents. So when looking through care homes, do not be afraid to ask questions – it’s the only way you’ll get the right advice.
Which One Is Right For Me And My Loved Ones?
There are so many care homes – approximately over 20,000 – and the figure only looks set to rise as one in five of our older citizens are struggling to live on their own. So if you’re looking for a care home, the choices may feel overwhelming.
But, first of all, you need to assess your loved ones needs – after all, they are the ones who will be living there. There are generally two different types of care homes: residential and nursing. Residential care is to offer everyday support for those who are struggling to cope on their own. This can be provided in one of the care homes or it can be provided at the person’s home. Nursing care is, however, different. This involves round-the-clock support for additional needs that only trained medical staff could deal with on a daily basis. When it comes to those of us with dementia, this is the type of support for those who are past early on-set symptoms. However, for those with early on-set of dementia, it may be good to consider a home that is dual registered and has different units. You may be better suited in the care home unit at first; however, if your condition becomes more severe, then you can be moved to a unit that can support your needs more adequately. It is good to see about consulting your local NHS services to see if they can help assess you or your loved ones needs so that you feel as if you have the full facts to make an informed choice.
When considering a care home, have a look around and make sure that you take all options into account. Selecting the right care home is like selecting the right house. At the end of the day, finding the right option now can avoid trouble later.
What To Expect From Nursing Care
When looking for a nursing home, you’ll want to make sure that you, or your loved one, is getting the proper care and support that you need. However, it’s much more complex than that. Here, we write about what you should expect when you, or a loved one, moves into a nursing home. Nurses can shop a variety of women’s scrubs from Uniform Advantage so you should expect them to be protected.
When looking at care homes, you’ll probably have already considered the locality of any potential home. It’s good to plan ahead. When it comes to you, or a loved one, moving into a care home, that first day will be hard. Emotions will be high. Moving is never easy, so don’t expect things to work out right away. It is important to make sure there are a number of familiar items around. Items can have a memory attached to them – fabrics, artwork and even scents can be a comfort in such a stressful situation. Even the person’s favourite music can help! You must also consider that there will be some negative emotions. You must remember to have patience – your loved one may be upset. It is important not to invalidate their concerns and fears. It’s important to be there for them in that first day. Plan on when you leave that day. And after you leave on that first day, be sure to tell your loved one when you’ll be back or when you’ll be in touch. It’s important to be there for them in those early weeks until they settle in.
Do not worry if you feel guilt when moving your loved one into a nursing home. Remember: they are getting the medical attention they need and which you can’t provide. Your loved one may be upset but, in time, they will be able to appreciate the reasons for finding them a nursing home.
What To Expect From Residential Care
When looking for a nursing care home, it’s typical to expect the worse. We hear so many horror stories about nursing care so it can be hard to know what to expect for your loved one. Well, we’re here to give you the good news.
There are so many positives for your loved one to look forward to when they move into one of the residential care homes. Firstly, there is companionship. While you no doubt have guilt about a loved one moving into a home, perhaps they’re also lacking in their social life. Moving into residential care can see them move in with a number of people their age, who understand their language and have a lot of shared memories of events. This can be further bolstered by group activities, exercises and even outings. Many people who move into residential care fear the worst – but, within a couple of months, they’re having the time of their lives! There’s also no need to clean too; nor the need to go to the Doctors. A quality care home will have a number of services on-site – including a doctor, a dentist, a physiotherapist and even a hairdressers. And, with 24-hour care in place, you can rest assured that your loved one is getting support in a well-kept environment. They’ll also get all their meals prepared for them – some premier care homes even have their own chefs!
So, far from being a horrible experience – you may find that your loved one will love their new home. Knowing what to expect from a nursing care home allows you to feel more comfortable about your decision to help move your loved one into their new home.
