After the way of living drastically changed over the years, people lost a bunch of free time, due to traffic at work, etc.This all combined has brought lots of people into a place where one decision determines the quality of life of their parents or grandparents.
Making a decision like this is never easy. In fact, it’s horrifying, and it makes you feel terrible just thinking about it. Do you rely on home care and try dealing with all the problems that you know you can’t cover because you work from 9 to 5 and you’ve got 2 kids as well, or do you place your parents/grandparents in a nursing home, but then they’re not here anymore? And this makes you sad.
But, even though it seems hard, and it is not a light decision, families have to have in mind the well-being and physical care of that person.
That being said, if the decision falls to move into a nursing home, it is up to you and your family to make a home more than just a place.
Trust And Safety Come First
After deciding on what to do, the next step is finding the best institution for your elderly family member. And here, trust is the most important part. Think about it – you’re placing your loved one in someone else’s hands. Their safety, their wellbeing, their health – all of that is dependent on a couple of staff members.
This is why it’s important to do your due diligence and research the facility in advance. This is simply something that must be done, especially when you think about all the understaffing issues, patients’ needs being overlooked, sexual abuse in nursing homes, cases of negligence, etc. Potential risks are always there, but you’d rather avoid them than have to deal with the consequences (emotional and legal).
All this makes a whole different perspective, encouraging families to be up to date with all events, even participating in them more.
The Small Details
After you’ve seen that all the basic needs are met, the next step is making the nursing home feel like home (or at least as much as possible).
To get there, it’s important to focus on the little/small details; those everyday joys that they’d experience every day. Routines are a great way to go about it to instill a bit of comfort and a sense of a normal life.
Routines and Personal Touches
When moving, it’s important for elders to feel familiarity; familiarity is linked to comfort. While you’ve got your job to do, it’s good to know that nursing homes are aware of that.
Meaning they introduce newbies to daily routines, it’s all scheduled. The meals and snacks are always at the same time, and there is a sleeping frame that everyone follows.
Consistent routines greatly support cognitive stability in older adults.
| Better cognitive function and reduced confusion in older adults are strongly linked to regular daily routines, especially if the person suffers from any memory-related condition. – National Institute of Aging |
And, for people with memory issues, this also provides a bit of comfort, even when the mind doesn’t remember, the body does.
Another thing that provides both familiarity and stability is adding a personal touch to routine and room.
It usually isn’t much.
Just a simple morning coffee, or afternoon tea with an extra spoon of sugar, a favorite chair, or a book. So, in the times when they are away from their initial family, they have a little piece of what once made their day.
Activities That Bring a Sense of Purpose
Outside of the schedule and meetings with family, it is just as important for older adults to find a sense of purpose in their daily lives. It might not be as it used to be, but having something to look forward to makes a huge difference in someone’s life.
| Just having a sense of purpose is directly linked to longer life expectancy and better physical/mental health. – Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health |
This is the part when motivation and willingness to be part of something play a crucial role, so introducing them to organized programs might encourage them.
That could also be signing them up for light senior activities, considering volunteering, and day trips out of town.
Not to mention how significant it is to feel part of the group and something meaningful.
That’s why lots of people started going to pottery classes with seniors, as a form of bonding and learning new hobbies.
Social Connection And Small Moments
You know how, once in a while, comes a time when you feel lonely and kind of left out in your social surroundings. And all it takes is to step out of your comfort zone and reach out to someone to break that misery bubble.
Now imagine how difficult it can be for elders. Social interactions become one of the most needed things in someone’s life when they’re limited to much fewer activities than they once could do.
| Older adults who live in social isolation have a much higher chance of developing dementia and heart disease. – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention |
These are the moments when a shared meal in a couple of days, light conversation, or a phone call can change someone’s whole week.
What’s more, there have been organized animal visits as a way of therapy. You have two goals here – reduce isolation and increase mental/physical health.
Conclusion
To make all of this more concise, you first need to decide whether your elderly loved one will stay with you or move into a nursing home. And no, it’ll never be an ‘easy’ decision.
If you go with option B, then it’s important to make sure your loved one gets the best care possible and feels as much ‘ at home’ as possible. Yes, it’s a no-brainer, all of this; very logical. And yet, it often gets sidelined for how much you have to pay for the facility, and when you’ll visit.
When you’re looking to make the nursing home experience more enjoyable and fun, just imagine what a smile you will bring out with a puppy on the next visit, or the booked hobby lesson.
