Why You Should Consider Placing Your Aging Parent in a Skilled Nursing Facility
July 6, 2021
As parents start to age, their declining age can be challenging to deal with. At this stage, the roles of the parent and the child change. It now becomes your responsibility to make sure that your parents live a comfortable life. However, the demands of playing the role of an active caregiver can be pretty burdening. Although the thought of placing your parents in a nursing home evokes feelings of guilt, it can be what they need as they have access to quality healthcare. You also get the support your family very much needs.
There is a lot of skepticism among most people regarding sending their parents to nursing facilities. It is not surprising considering the reputation they have acquired over the years. Here, we look at some of the different reasons why you should consider sending your aging parents to a skilled nursing facility.
1. They Can’t Take Care of Themselves
If your aging parent cannot care for themselves, it is a sign that they need an assisted living setup. They may need help eating, visiting the restroom, walking, standing, laying down, and even performing personal hygiene practices. Some parents show signs of forgetfulness and confusion or get themselves into dangerous situations as a result.
2. It Drains You
When you need to take your aging parent on your own, you will often feel mentally unwell and physically drained. It is physically demanding and emotionally daunting to manage the care of someone so special in your life when they cannot do it themselves. Although you may feel guilty for placing your parents in a nursing home, it is the best decision you can make for both parties. If you feel unhappy or unwell, your feelings will impact your parents as well. You also can’t manage to help them if you are sick.
3. They Need Professional Care
Many people decide to send their parents to a nursing home when they need professional care to make sure that they can live comfortably. An example of a good nursing facility is arcare.com.au, which offers many benefits both for you and your aging parents. It allows access to expert care around the clock. Nursing facilities also have an established community and offer a range of activities that engage senior citizens.
4. You Live Close to One
Although you can stay home to take care of your parents, it may not be viable in the long term. You may have to work or shift your attention to other obligations. It is also unfair to quit your job for this reason. A nursing home may be an excellent option. It allows you to go back to your ordinary life and career. Although you may feel guilty about it, always remember that your livelihood is equally essential. After all, you cannot afford to take care of your parents if you do not have enough income. You can always visit your parents in the weeks and spend some time in their company. You can also make remote visits through Skype and other video call services.
5. You Have Explored All Available Options
Although you may opt for home care, there are cases when it is not enough. After trying to offer home care services, you may find that they are better off living in a nursing facility. Home care is a bit expensive. Financial provisions such as extended health insurance may not fully cover the medical expenses accrued, especially if their condition deteriorates over time. Apart from the costs of hiring a caregiver, it would help if you also considered other factors such as mortgages, taxes, and home upgrades when calculating the long-term costs of home care. You can save more money by sending them t a nursing facility.
6. Personal Limitations
Taking care of a senior requires a lot of energy and time. The physical damage you may suffer while trying to take care of your parents and manage your health problems at the same time can be pretty significant. Illness or personal injuries often come with limited income or ongoing medical expenses. Managing the medical expenses for yourself and your parents at the same time can be quite overwhelming, leading to financial strain.
Now that you understand some of the key reasons you should consider placing your aging parents in nursing facilities, it is time to take the next step. Please do some research about the available options since nursing facilities are not the same and their care can vary. You want to make sure that they get the best care possible. It may be difficult for you and your parents, but nursing homes can help you get through.