When deciding it’s time for a loved one to move into a nursing home, you will likely feel a range of emotions, from fear and depression to relief. All these emotions are valid, but it may help to consider the many benefits of nursing homes. These facilities provide the highest level of care available, so both residents and their loved ones can feel confident that the person receiving care will be safe and healthy in this environment. Let’s take a closer look at how seniors and their loved ones can benefit from nursing homes.
Benefits of nursing homes for seniors
As seniors age, their care needs may surpass what family members and other caregivers can provide in their homes. Once a person’s care needs exceed a certain level, moving to a nursing home may be the best option, as these facilities offer the highest level of care to their residents while supporting their physical health, social and emotional well-being, and cognition. Here are some of the many ways nursing homes benefit seniors.
Complex medical care
As we age, our medical needs can increase, which can make living at home challenging. For example, an older adult with diabetes may have taken care of themselves well previously, but complications can make living independently a challenge. Other diagnoses like Parkinson’s disease, cancer, limited mobility, strokes, and more all require complex care. Nursing homes offer a wide variety of support and management for medical needs, including medication administration, IV management, wound care, rehabilitation services, and more. Having trained medical professionals available 24/7 ensures that the medical needs of the senior are taken care of and treated appropriately.
Safety
Older adults may face several safety concerns while living at home. As they age, they may find performing activities of daily living (ADLs) and instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) more difficult or even dangerous. Falls are a major concern. Other worries include safety while performing daily tasks such as bathing, cooking, and cleaning. For older adults with cognitive decline, wandering, getting lost, leaving burners on, and falling are all concerns. Nursing homes provide supervision and assistance with daily tasks (or take them entirely out of the senior’s hands, as with food preparation), ensuring the older adult’s safety. These facilities allow seniors to be as independent as possible while monitoring their safety.
Independence
As we age, our ability to care for ourselves decreases. A significant concern for seniors is the loss of independence as their ability to care for themselves declines. In a nursing home, however, seniors can remain as independent as possible while receiving the care they need to be safe and healthy. Freeing up their time and peace of mind by providing the care they need and taking over household tasks can allow for more independence in how they spend their time.
Making our own decisions is important. Older adults may also maintain autonomy in a nursing home when it comes to their care. A nursing home increases older adults’ autonomy and independence by keeping the decision-making process in their hands when possible. Common myths say that nursing homes restrict seniors’ decision-making abilities, but that is not true. Care plans are created with seniors’ input, allowing them to safely voice their opinions.
Social interactions and engaging activities
Older adults who live at home alone may become socially isolated and withdrawn and experience mental health challenges. Nursing homes address these concerns with daily, weekly, and monthly social opportunities and activities. They offer many different types of activities, so no matter what the older adult’s interests are, they will have opportunities to socialize and engage in entertaining, educational, or physical activities. Most nursing homes have activities like bingo, prayer services, cognitive exercises, game nights, gentle exercise classes, sewing and quilting clubs, and other group activities. Independent activities are also available. These social or solo activities can be a great support for the older adult’s mental, cognitive, and physical health.
Nutritious, tasty meals
As energy levels and physical abilities decline with age, older adults may struggle to get proper nutrition. Meals at nursing homes benefit older adults by ensuring they receive nutritious food tailored to their health needs. Proper nutrition contributes to their overall well-being.
Mealtimes are also an opportunity for socialization, which can enhance mental health and cognitive engagement. Since residents of nursing homes do not have to worry about meal preparation, they can have more free time to focus on their health and enjoyment without the stress of cooking and cleaning.
Meals at nursing homes have come a long way. Most facilities use modern knowledge of health and nutrition while combining the comfort and memories associated with certain foods. The dietary staff strives to follow medical diet restrictions while keeping meals pleasant, nourishing, and social.
Rehabilitative services
Older adults may experience common age-related physical issues, such as limited mobility, muscle weakness, joint pain, and balance problems, all of which can increase the risk of falls and accidents. Nursing homes offer on-site physical, occupational, and speech therapies and rehabilitative services to enhance the lives of older adult residents. These services promote mobility, strength, and independence, allowing seniors to benefit in a safe environment. The on-site availability of these services means the older adult does not have to travel for them, further decreasing the risk of falls or accidents.
These therapies are also available on a short-term basis to older adults recovering from injury, surgery, or illness, promoting their well-being and enhancing their chances of recovery and regaining independence.
Family visits and activities
Family visits are important for older adults. Nursing homes encourage family interaction to maintain connection and prevent feelings of loneliness for residents. Family activities, meal accompaniment, holiday celebrations, and more are available to increase interactions between family members. Remember that the nursing home is now home for the older adult, and facility staff are trained to keep families informed and involved. Accommodation for married seniors may also be available to encourage and enhance the relationship between spouses while living apart.
Benefits of nursing homes for family members and caregivers
As the family member or caregiver of an older adult loved one, you may have experienced the pressure to care for a loved one while balancing a job, a family, and other personal responsibilities. Worries and fears of safety for your loved one may be constant, but you may also worry about how nursing home care will affect them. Guilt can stretch you thin while you wrestle with the decision. However, the benefits of nursing home care are not limited to seniors; they also extend to caregivers and family members. Below are a few of the main benefits of nursing home care for family members and caregivers of older adults.
Peace of mind
Lying awake at night and worrying about your loved one’s safety and daily needs and how you will balance everything is common for family members and caregivers of older adults. By knowing your loved one is cared for by competent medical professionals in a nursing home, you can have peace of mind. Having their daily physical, medical, social, and mental health needs met by caring, nurturing professionals allows for an enhanced quality of life for both you and your loved one.
Improved relationships
You also may experience an improvement in your relationship with your older adult loved one when you no longer have the responsibility to care for their complex needs. As you leave behind caregiver obligations and concerns, you can spend higher-quality time together and nurture the bond between you with meaningful visits.
Final thoughts on the benefits of nursing homes
The benefits of nursing homes are vast and varied for both older adults and their families and caregivers. The elevated level of care these facilities offer helps seniors stay safe and healthy and gives their families peace of mind. Knowing how nursing homes can help residents remain independent and cared for allows older adults and their families to rest easily. When considering nursing home care for yourself or a loved one, keep in mind how the many physical, cognitive, and mental benefits could be advantageous to you and your family.
If you’ve made the decision to move to a nursing home and need to look for a community with the support of a professional, find the local Oasis Senior Advisor in your area.
