moving your loved one into a nursing home

When It's Time To Consider Nursing Home Care: 3 Common Situations

29 February 2016

Alisa Mantyla

When it comes to caring for elderly parents, there seems to be an outside pressure to keep them out of the nursing home for as long as possible. While this is a great option for a number of families, it isn't always possible and it may not always be in the best interest of your parent. Below are three common situations that arise that may mean it's time to consider nursing home care.

1. Your Parent's Quality of Life Has Diminished

It's not uncommon for elderly individuals to become homebound as they age. If this is affecting your parent's quality of life, however, you may want to consider a nursing home program that can meet their social needs.

If your parent is a social butterfly, becoming homebound due to health issues can cause depression and lead to worsening health. While you try to meet your parent's social needs, you know that they miss the busy social life they once had. If this is the case, you may want to consider a nursing home that has an active social calendar and can give your parent a chance to do the things they once enjoyed. From ice cream socials to movie nights, your parents schedule can once again be filled to the brim while their health needs are being met.

2. You Can No Longer Meet the Care Demands

If your aging parent's medical or self-care needs are too much for you to manage, and if an in-home care provider is not an option, it may be best for all involved to consider a nursing home.

There are a number of reasons that an in-home provider may not work out, including medical issues that are too complex and your parent's refusal of outside help. If you feel the level of care you're providing is too much to handle, know that a nursing home is an option and it doesn't mean that you've failed. A nursing home can provide your parent with the medical support they require and can ensure that their daily needs, such as eating, bathing, and dressing, are appropriately handled.  

3. Caring for Your Parent is Straining Your Relationship

There's nothing more important than the relationship between a parent and their child. If the care you're providing is causing the relationship to erode and problems to emerge, you may want to consider a nursing home for the sake of your relationship.

Caring for your parent can cause a strain for a number of reasons. Perhaps your parent feels guilty about the situation, or you both struggle to see eye-to-eye on common issues within the household. Whatever the reason for the strain, it doesn't have to be that way. A nursing home provides your parent with more independence than both of you may think. Your parent will likely feel better about not relying on you for care, and your relationship dynamics can go back to the way they once were. You can still be an active part of your parent's care team, but in a less direct way that allows room for both of you to take a breather.

If you think your aging parent may benefit from a move to a nursing home, consult with nursing home staff--such as the one from Alternative Nursing Services--and set up tours to see what the nursing homes in your area can offer. 

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