Is a Nursing Home the Right Choice for My Aging Family Member?
As adults age, their health needs often increase. It might be difficult for their children or close family members to choose how to provide the appropriate level of care. While some people may view nursing homes as an option of last resort, balancing the increasing demands of an elderly loved one with the necessities of daily life can be incredibly problematic. At a certain point, it may become evident that a nursing home is the most suitable prospect for an aging adult.
The Responsibility of Care
Choosing to transfer the care of an aging relative to a nursing home may feel like giving up on them or turning your back. When the time comes for families to consider a nursing home, it does not mean they are absolved of all responsibility—it just means they might be able to spread some of the responsibility to dedicated professionals. In the long run, it could increase the quality of life of the aging loved one and their default caregivers.
Families still must do their part by selecting the appropriate facility and committing to regular visits. A nursing home may be able to provide more stable round-the-clock services. Still, without the support of visitors and loved ones, the quality of life for a senior individual in a care facility could end up lacking.
Pros of Nursing Homes
Nursing homes provide 24/7 access to nurses or other medical staff. In the case of a medical emergency, trained professionals are on-site to assist. Other medical care, such as temperature checks, IV administration, wound treatment, and medication monitoring, is available as often as required to maintain residents’ overall health and well-being.
Personal care, such as hygiene maintenance, grooming, and meal preparation, is also available full-time for nursing home residents. Nursing home caregivers are on call to provide these essential services, whereas a senior’s family members may juggle a full-time job, children, and other life commitments.
Additionally, long-term care facilities allow aging adults to engage in social activities and build relationships with fellow residents. These interactions provide essential companionship and emotional support, addressing the social isolation commonly experienced by elderly individuals living independently.
Cons of Nursing Homes
One of the most significant downsides to placing a loved one in a long-term nursing home is cost. While many factors dictate the exact cost of a specific facility—location, type of room, level of amenities—having trained medical staff available day and night tends to be expensive. As of right now, Medicare covers short-term stays after a hospitalization. However, long-term care insurance is generally required to cover extended-stay residencies unless your family member qualifies for Medicaid.
The quality of care in a nursing home may also be a downside. Large facilities may be unable to provide personalized care, and—in extreme cases—employee burnout, short staffing, or a lack of suitable care plans can contribute to a consequential decline in care conditions. If left unchecked, this could lead to elder abuse or neglect. For that reason, it’s essential for caregivers to thoroughly research a facility before choosing.
How to Choose the Right Nursing Home
Every aging adult is unique and requires different levels of care. If you decide to transfer the care of your elderly parent or relative to a nursing home facility, consider their individual needs. Are they suffering from dementia? Do they have specific health conditions? Do they require specialized procedures or care plans? Matching their level of need with the home’s services is essential to ensuring they will be adequately cared for.
When evaluating potential facilities, schedule a visit to see the environment firsthand. Talk to the staff and ask about their approach to patient care. Assess how residents interact with each other and note their general happiness level. Pay attention to cleanliness, safety, and the atmosphere of the space. Consider going out of regular hours to get an unfiltered view of how staff interact with the residents.
Do your research. Medicare offers a rating system to assess a facility’s quality based on health code checks, staffing ratios, and overall level of care. The rating system uses data to evaluate the prevalence of specific conditions that might indicate abuse and neglect. For example, high-risk residences with new or worsening bed sores may be victims of poor nursing home practices.
Final Thoughts
The decision on how to proceed with an aging parent or loved one can be complex, overwhelming, and even frightening. Whatever path you choose will likely be influenced by various personal circumstances, including budget, time constraints, and conflicting responsibilities. Putting an aging relative into a nursing home may be the right decision—and no matter what, you will still need to be involved and present. And if it’s not the right decision, know you are not alone. There are valid pros and cons to both options.
