How do you know if it’s time to move your parent to a care home? It might be something that you’re dreading or want to avoid for as long as possible – that’s completely normal. We all want our parents and older loved ones to be able to live independently and happily, in their own homes, doing their own thing, for as long as they can.
However, there are some situations where the need for additional care and support can’t be ignored. You may want to consider moving your parent to a care home if you’ve noticed any of these signs.
They’re Struggling with Everyday Tasks
If your parent is still living in their own home and you have noticed that they’ve started to struggle a lot with everyday tasks, it might be a sign of a deeper issue, such as dementia, that they will need additional support and care for.
People with dementia often forget about the tasks that they have to do or even how to do them. If your parent isn’t eating or drinking, or forgetting to shower or dress themselves, then it might be time to think about changing their living situation so they can be safe and healthy.
Care homes designed to support people with dementia, such as this dementia care home in Mansfield, say that the quality of life of the residents is their top concern. Without the need to worry about looking after their own home, or even themselves, your parent can focus on doing enriching activities such as socialising with other residents, or taking part in engaging, cognition-boosting activities.
They’re Struggling to Get Around
While it’s important to encourage as much independence as possible in older people for their happiness, good mental health and quality of life, this might not be possible if they’re struggling to get around. If your parent has mobility problems that are quite severe, to the point where they struggle to get around their home let alone get out of it, it can lead to further problems – especially isolation, which is a leading cause of depression in the elderly.
In this case, moving to a care home might be beneficial. They won’t have to worry about things like shopping for food, cleaning the house, or anything else that they might be finding difficult. All of these tasks will be taken care of for them, and what’s more, they will have round-the-clock access to trained, qualified, and caring staff who can help them move around and do the things they want to do.
You’re Struggling to Care for Them
Wanting to care for your own parents as they get older is noble, but not everybody is capable. Many families who take care of aging relatives find that a point comes where they no longer have the medical expertise needed to look after them well. Or it might simply be an issue of time – if you have a full-time job, and kids of your own to look after, then there may simply not be enough hours in the day for you to personally give your parent the care that they deserve.
This is where a good care home can come in – they can take over from you, and make sure that your parent is looked after and happy, while you get on with your own life. You’ll get peace of mind, and regular updates on how they are doing. And of course, you can visit them whenever you like.
They Have Serious Medical Conditions
If your parent has developed serious medical conditions that require specialist care, then it might be the right time to consider moving them to a specialist, reputable care home that can provide this. Some older people need round-the-clock care, and it’s difficult – if not impossible – to provide this to them in their own home. A good care home will have experienced, highly trained staff on-site around the clock, including on-site medical professionals such as qualified nurses, to ensure that your relative’s medical needs are met at all times.
While moving your parent into a care home might not be something you’ve been looking forward to doing, it might be the best thing you can do to care for them. If you’ve noticed any of these signs, consider looking for a caring, reputable, and experienced care home for them.
