How to Take Nursing Home-Like Care of Elderly Parents at Home
Nursing homes are usually known for taking expert-level care of the elderly. However, it’s not like they do anything that you can’t do at home. That being said, what if you wanted your elderly parents to get proper nursing home-like care? However, you don’t want to send them off to such an establishment to access this level of care. Instead, you want to take care of them at home and provide professional-level care there.
Here’s how you can manage that:
Create a Safe and Comfortable Living Environment
A crucial step in taking care of elderly parents at home is to create a safe and comfortable living environment for them. This means making necessary modifications to the house to accommodate their needs.
Start by addressing potential hazards and obstacles. Remove clutter and ensure that walkways are clear of obstacles that may cause tripping or falling. Install handrails in key areas such as hallways, stairs, and the bathroom to provide additional support. Adjust the thermostat to maintain a comfortable temperature, and ensure that the lighting is adequate throughout the home.
Also, many elderly individuals have reduced vision. As pointed out by the American Optometric Association, this is especially true for people over the age of 60. Hence, well-lit spaces can help prevent accidents and provide a better quality of life.
Ensure Proper Nutrition and Hydration
At nursing homes, maintaining a healthy and balanced diet is essential for the elderly to support their overall well-being. You need to do the same at home if you’re to provide them with proper care.
Work with a healthcare professional to develop a meal plan that meets your parent’s specific dietary requirements. This may include reducing sodium and sugar intake, increasing fiber, and incorporating more fruits and vegetables into their diet.
Monitor their hydration closely, as dehydration can be a significant issue for the elderly. Encourage them to drink water regularly and include hydrating foods such as soups, fruits, and vegetables in their diet.
Meal planning and preparation can be a joint effort within the family. It ensures that your elderly parents receive nourishing meals that meet their preferences and dietary restrictions.
Foster Social Connections
Social isolation can be a significant challenge for elderly individuals, especially if they have limited mobility. According to the CDC, loneliness can have adverse effects on the elderly and lead to a 29 percent increased risk of heart disease. Hence, it’s essential to foster social connections for your elderly parents.
At a nursing home, your parents would have the opportunity to connect with others in their age group. However, since that’s not always possible at home, your parents need to find other people to interact with.
Encourage family members and friends to visit and spend time with your parents regularly. Arrange social events, religious gatherings, or community activities that they may enjoy. If in-person interactions are challenging due to geographical limitations or health concerns, consider virtual options like video calls.
Protect Them from Abuse and Neglect
Earlier this May, CBS News brought to light the details of a local Chicago nursing home, called Symphony Chicago West, in deplorable condition. A former employee of the facility gave vivid details on the nursing home’s poor conditions. From dirty beds to negligence in providing general care, this Chicago nursing home had all the traits of a bad nursing home.
TorHoerman Law reports that abuse and neglect at nursing homes aren’t usually heard of. However, that doesn’t mean that such issues don’t occur at these nursing facilities. The Symphony Chicago West incident is a good example of such neglect.
This incident probably won’t end with just abuse or negligence. Families of the facility’s residents are likely to contact a Chicago nursing home abuse lawyer and file a lawsuit against the establishment. This is, of course, something that must be done to deal with crimes of this nature.
Neglect is common in many nursing homes. Because of this, the elderly become miserable in these places. Hence, as you can tell, nursing homes aren’t always the best option.
As long as you can ensure a neglect and abuse-free environment at home, where your parents’ needs aren’t neglected, they will be happy. For that, you have to be open with your elderly parents. Ask them how they feel, what they need, and whether or not anyone is being mean to them or making them feel uncomfortable. This open communication will help you ensure better care for your elderly parents.
Provide Emotional Support and Companionship
Taking care of elderly parents goes beyond meeting their physical needs. It also involves offering emotional support and companionship. Many seniors may experience feelings of loneliness, depression, or anxiety, so being there for them emotionally is crucial.
Spend quality time with your elderly parents, engage in meaningful conversations, and listen to their concerns and stories. Ensure that they feel valued and respected, and always show empathy and patience. Seek professional help if necessary, such as a therapist or counselor, to address any emotional or mental health issues that may arise.
Conclusion
As you can tell from our discussion above, taking professional-level care for elderly parents at home isn’t that mammoth of a task. In fact, if you stick to the tips above, you can provide better care to them at home than a nursing home can. Just remember that when it comes to elderly care, a bit of love and affection goes a long way.
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