Deciding when to place your parent in a nursing home can feel overwhelming and emotional. Maybe they have expressed a desire to stay at home, and you are trying to honor that. Alternatively, you could feel obligated to provide care for them like they did for you when you were younger. However, there often comes a time when it is the right thing to do. Keep an eye out for any of these signs that your parent needs a nursing home to ensure they have a safe and comfortable place to call home.
Watch for these 5 Signs Your Parent Needs a Nursing Home
Many people look at a nursing home as a last resort. However, that is a dated approach to caring for an aging and infirm parent. Modern nursing homes offer compassionate care and treatment, engaging activities, and supplemental support services to help individuals live their best lives.
These five signs are indicators that your parent needs skilled nursing care. If you notice any of them, contact a medical professional or support group for help finding the right place.
1. They Have Complex Medical Needs
Medical care is the defining factor that sets a nursing home apart from other types of senior living centers. That is why an elderly parent with complex medical needs, especially those that aren’t being met at home, is a sign that they may need a nursing home. Some conditions that often call for skilled nursing care include:
- Chronic illnesses that require medications and equipment, such as diabetes, COPD, and heart failure
- Dementia and related cognitive disorders
- Feeding tubes or other nutritional support
- Parkinson’s disease and other degenerative neurological conditions
- Serious wounds, especially those that aren’t healing as expected
Nursing homes have specially trained staff that can provide compassionate medical care, such as changing wound dressings, administering intravenous medications, and cleaning catheters and other equipment.
2. They Have a Surgery or Other Procedure Scheduled
Moving to a skilled nursing facility is often a necessary step after a surgery or other invasive procedure. While there, your parent can receive personalized attention and around-the-clock monitoring to ensure they make progress. Post-operative services that a nursing home can provide include:
- Blood tests
- Changing dressings
- IV medications
- Monitoring vital signs
- Physical therapy
These are all important parts of a recovery plan; having access to them in a single location can help patients get back on their feet.
3. They Have Significant Cognitive Decline
When a parent has a decline of cognitive facility, it can be a very tough situation. However, a parent with significant cognitive decline from Alzheimer’s disease or another form of dementia is often best served in a nursing home. Living quarters are strategically arranged to limit confusion, and activities are geared toward patients who are forgetful or easily confused.
Additionally, staff are available to provide support and assistance at all hours. Security procedures limit the risk of your parent wandering off or hurting themself. Medication services ensure that your parent receives their medication on time every day, which is a major issue for adults with dementia who must take daily medication.
4. Their Home Is Not Safe
The ability to maintain a safe home space is a key marker for continued independent living. However, some signs point more to the need for skilled nursing than assisted living. For example, if your parent has a chronic medical condition that they are neglecting. Signs that your parent can no longer maintain a safe living environment include:
- Clutter: Excessive food or personal hygiene items left around can create health risks. Clutter can also cause falls, which are a leading cause of fractures and hospitalizations of older adults.
- Failing medical equipment: Patients who use durable medical equipment must be able to maintain it and perform general upkeep. Failing to do so could cause it to work incorrectly or lead to an infection.
- Malnutrition: If your parent is not eating balanced meals, whether because they forget, they can no longer cook, or they do not have access to groceries, they may need medical care to ensure proper nutrition.
Everyone deserves to have a safe space to live. If you notice signs your parent cannot maintain their health and safety by themselves, get help.
5. Caregiver Burnout
Taking care of an aging parent can take a physical and emotional toll on even the strongest people. If you or another family member provides around-the-clock care for your parent, then there is a good chance you aren’t taking time to care for yourself. This can lead to caregiver burnout. Signs of caregiver burnout include:
- Chronic fatigue
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Loneliness
- Mood changes
Skilled nursing care is not just to help a patient. It is also a crucial lifeline for family members who now find themselves acting as full-time caregivers. Having a safe place for your parent to go where they can get the skilled care they need from trained staff allows you to get the rest you need to continue with your own life. Without support, you could begin to resent your parent and your role as caregiver, which can have serious negative effects on your relationship.
Next Steps Once You Realize Your Parent Needs a Nursing Home
Noticing the signs that your parent is ready for a nursing home is the first step toward getting them the care they need and deserve. The next steps involve finding help to ensure their safety and well-being.
A good first step is to speak with your parent’s medical provider. Share your concerns and observations, and ask for care recommendations. Doctors are a great starting point because they already know the patient’s medical history and prognosis and how to steer you in the right direction.
Schedule tours at local nursing homes and see the facilities for yourself. Take your parent if they can go. This is an important step to putting everyone’s minds at ease. While there, ask about support groups or other programs to help make the transition easier for you and your parent.
Where To Turn When You Notice Signs Your Parent Needs a Nursing Home
The staff at Elder Care Alliance understands that placing your parent in a nursing home is a huge decision. Schedule a visit to your nearest facility if you have noticed signs that your parent needs a nursing home. We are here to help you navigate the process at a pace you are comfortable with.
