When is the Right Time To Put Your Parent in a Nursing Home?
Are you on the fence or not sure if it’s time to put your aging parent in a nursing home, assisted living or skilled nursing?
We’ve got some guidance to help you make this important, and often emotional, decision.
7 Signs Your Parent Needs Nursing Home Care
1. They Show Signs of Dementia
An aging parent with Alzheimer’s or other dementias can become aggressive and in some situations even violent. In other cases, they may be prone to wandering, getting lost in their own neighborhood.
Signs of dementia may differ slightly depending upon the cause. However, the most common symptoms include:
- Difficulty finding words
- Memory loss
- Getting lost, particularly while driving
- Inability to stay organized
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Agitation, especially in the evening (which may be connected to a condition called “sundowners”)
2. They Aren’t Keeping Up with Hygiene & Housekeeping
You may have noticed that your senior parent is letting their hygiene slip. If they are having trouble bathing, dressing or cooking, you should take note.
It may mean it’s time to place mom or dad in a skilled nursing facility or assisted living.
3. You’re Experiencing Severe Caregiver Fatigue
You’ve been the caregiver for your parent—possibly for several years.
But who takes care of you?
Self-care is important when dealing with the stress and anxiety of caring for an elderly parent. Remember, if you can’t take care of yourself, it’s nearly impossible for you to care for someone else.
Caring for a parent is demanding. It requires extensive resources and time off from work. Mobilizing resources to complete tasks is exhausting.
You should watch out for the following symptoms:
- Extreme anxiety
- Hyper-vigilance
- Intrusive, obsessive thoughts
If stress and anxiety are taking a toll on your health, consider placing your senior parent in a nursing home.
4. You Feel Like You’re In Over Your Head (Medically or Physically)
Medicine can be tricky too. It’s difficult to keep up with what time important medications should be administered. You may not be qualified to see when your “patient” needs to have a change in medication.
A trained professional can spot these things and alert a doctor faster than you can.
Nursing home placement may be appropriate if they are having difficulty managing serious, chronic diseases such as:
- Diabetes
- Lung disease
- COPD
- Kidney disease
- Heart disease
It may also be harder to help move your parent safely. Older homes are not easily adaptable to devices that can make daily living easier — such as shower seating or steps. Without these devices, your parent is more likely to slip or fall.
5. Falls & Forgetfulness Make Living at Home Unsafe
If your parent falls, he or she is in greater danger of breaking a hip or having a serious fracture. They may also become forgetful and leave the stove on or fail to take important medication.
These factors make it unsafe for mom or dad to live at home, particularly if they live by themselves.
6. You Live Too Far Away to Help in Their Care
Caregiving is even more challenging when you don’t live close to your parents. It’s difficult to coordinate efforts. You may be dependent upon home health resources in your parent’s community, and depending upon their location, these may be limited. In Brunswick County, we have a wealth of resources to help your aging parent.
Brunswick Cove is the perfect place for your aging parent. We have extensive resources and offer compassionate, comprehensive skilled nursing care.
In addition, Brunswick Cove is located in Winnabow, along North Carolina’s beautiful coast. Residents are within minutes of some of the most beautiful beaches in the country. Brunswick Cove is also a quick drive from the quaint, historic town of Southport, NC, which features waterfront dining and top-notch seafood at the Provision Company and Fishy Fishy Cafe.
7. They Need Short-Term Physical Rehabilitation After Surgery, Stroke or Heart Attack
Not all nursing home placements are permanent. After a knee or hip replacement, seniors often need to be referred to a skilled nursing facility before they can go home.
At Brunswick Cove, we offer four types of rehabilitation: physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and cardiac rehabilitation.
Through our skilled nursing facility services, we work with your parent’s healthcare team to ensure they have complete care tailored to their needs.
Brunswick Cove: A Peaceful Environment with World-Class Care
We understand it will take some time for your parent to adjust to living in a nursing home or skilled living facility.
Just remember: We’re here for you every step of the way. We’re dedicated to making the transition easier for both you and your parent.
You’ll find that Brunswick Cove is different from your typical skilled nursing facility. Our residents receive the same care and attention that we would give our own parents or grandparents. We surround them with high-quality compassionate care delivered by a friendly, welcoming staff.
See why our residents love living at Brunswick Cove in beautiful, relaxing coastal Carolina. Contact us for more information.