How To Decide On The Best Nursing Home


by Ron X. King

Growing old happens. It is a natural part of the human experience, as is dying. It's in everyone's best interest for us as individuals and as a society to address the issue in an intelligent, creative, and caring method. How we deal with aging citizens around us, and what we endorse as the social and cultural norms is likely to be returned in kind. The day will come for most of us when we are the old, infirm and in need of care.

Full Time Care Is Just That

Taking care of an aging person in the home is not easy. These elders have special needs and require specialized care. Most of the time it will be required 24 hours every day. The attention and care will also differ from one individual to another. Some may need help taking their medications, going to the bathroom, eating, bathing, and any other daily activities that most of us take for granted.

Such an enormous task and responsibility can be overwhelming and necessitate placing a loved one in a nursing home. Such a decision can be one of the most difficult choices to make in one's life. It's obviously a very important and serious decision. The physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing of your loved one is at stake.

Many Factors To Be Considered

So, this decision cannot be treated with levity or kid's gloves. The decision is further caused by some factors that have to do with taking care of your loved one in your home rather than taking him to the nursing home. These factors may range from non-availability, cost, etc.

These factors most of the time determines whether your loved one requires a nursing home or not. There is nothing to be ashamed of in sending your loved one to the nursing home. Remember, you're making this decision because of your love, and because you want the very best for your loved one. However, there is need to be informed on what a nursing home is before taking your loved one there.

Help Accomplishing Daily Tasks

A nursing home is essentially a place for the aged, people that need the assistance to accomplish daily tasks. They need help with meals, with caring for their bodies, their environment, with marketing, and finding recreation. Nursing homes are designed to take assist elderly individuals with their personal needs. At their best, a nursing home staff knows what your loved ones want and is ready to give them the attention and care they need.

A nursing home has lots of facility that people like your loved one need to still appreciate the beauty of life while they are preparing to go to the world beyond. Nursing homes come in different sizes and with different names. The number of beds in a particular nursing home can range from approximately 25 to 500; the average number of beds per facility across America is about 102.

Finding a Nursing Home

Nursing homes are sometimes located within a hospital or medical center as separate skilled nursing units. More often, nursing homes are distinct facilities separate from hospitals. Private individuals, by for-profit companies, or by not-for-profit entities, may own nursing homes. They may also be publicly owned by shareholders.

The need for a nursing home is often defined by an individual's need for 24-hour assistance. This assistance does not necessarily mean an individual needs a nurse to watch over them while they sleep, but rather that they might need help getting to the lavatory in the middle of the night, or a reminder to take medication in the morning. More than half of all nursing home residents need assistance with more than 3 activities of daily living, while only 11.3% have no substantive limitations.

Make Sure You've Made a Good Choice

If your loved one needs medical attention and is not able to care for him or her self, a nursing home can be an excellent choice. It's important, however, that you make sure the nursing home of your choice is a reputable one, and that you can be confident your loved one will be well taken care of. You want your loved one to be happy and that won't be possible unless they're being well cared for in their nursing home.

About the Author

For more info, see Long Term Care. Ron King is a webdeveloper; visit his website Authoring Articles.

Copyright 2007 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.

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