There will come a time when loved ones can no longer look after themselves. Daily tasks like bathing, housekeeping, and meal preparation become a challenging feat. Slowly but surely, their interaction with the world is going to change, and sometimes it’s not always for the better.
Watching parents struggle with the effects of old age can be heartbreaking. Often times, we think that giving them more time and affection is just what they need. In reality, living with them is going to be more demanding overtime, and their needs may require more than just the basic care that is provided at home.
Accepting Their Changing Needs
They may start exhibiting symptoms of old age such as memory loss and reduced mobility. With these, seniors start requiring constant supervision and medical assistance, both of which can be provided by a senior nursing home.
Let’s face it: compassion at home isn’t enough to give them what they need. Seniors, especially ones who suffer from degenerative conditions, require specialized care and a medical team ready to act in times of emergency.
The home environment may not be suitable for elders as their symptoms become worse, and may potentially endanger not only themselves but also their loved ones.
Admitting that your parent requires specialized care for their changing needs is a tough call to make, precisely because there is no exact “right time”. However, there will always be signs showing you that “that time” is sooner than you think:
- They Need Assistance With ADLs
ADL stands for activities of daily living. This pertains to day-to-day activities such as washing, grooming, eating, cleaning, to name a few. If your loved one is unable to do these tasks on his or her own, it’s best to consider if they are better off in an environment where caretakers are ready to give their full assistance 24/7.
- Loneliness and Alienation
Your loved ones will eventually realize the extra level of care they need, and might feel bad from having to depend on someone else. In other cases, they might start requiring extra help only to realize everyone is too busy to perform these tasks for them.
Both realizations can lead to feelings of loneliness. No matter how caring you are to your elders, there will come a point where they question your actions and become reclusive from your efforts. It’s important for them to be around people who genuinely understand where they are coming from.
Senior communities have residents who experience and feel the same things as them. By connecting them with other seniors, you give them an opportunity to socialize in a safe and carefree environment.
- Signs Of Confusion
Elders suffer from memory loss, which can affect their daily routine. Forgetting things here and there is a significant part of this stage, and can lead to grave consequences if left untreated. If your loved one tends to wander aimlessly, or forgets to turn off the stove or even lock the door, it’s a sign that they can potentially bring harm to themselves and to the people around them.
To prevent accidents, it’s better to take your parent to a trusted senior care home that has all the facilities specifically tailored to senior living.
- Advanced Medical Problems
Treating colds and flu is one thing; dealing with regular respiratory problems is another. At home, you only have home remedies and prescription medicine, which may not be enough in case of a real emergency. When your parent continuously requires medical assistance, placing them under the care of a senior care home is the best option in order to maintain or bring them back to good health.
Want to learn more about senior care homes in your area? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. At Thrive, we help seniors and their families get in touch with the best nursing centers and rest homes in [area].
