Why Placing Your Loved One In A Nursing Home Is Not A Bad Thing

               There is such a negative connotation about placing a loved one in an assisted living center or nursing home.  My own mother threatened me that if I ever put her in a home she would never forgive me.  After working in nursing homes and seeing up close how much the majority of the staff in these facilities truly care about the individuals and making their stay as home like and comfortable as it can be I think many of the current thoughts about nursing homes are wrong!

               Leaving a parent lonely in their own home can have an incredible negative effect on them.  If an elderly parent is left alone in their home the majority of the time they tend to deteriorate quickly.  One of the reasons for this is the lack of stimulation.  Without others to converse with or structured activities to fill their time many seniors spend their days sitting in front of the tv.  While watching movies and television may keep them occupied it certainly is not stimulating their brains.  In a nursing home setting there are many other individuals of a similar age with whom your loved one could converse regularly.  I have seen small groups form and very close friendship form.  Also having others that will be seeing them every day many seniors tend to “keep themselves up” much better than when they are home alone.  Getting up and continuing a morning routine has a purpose when you will be going out to eat in the dining room instead of heating up something in the microwave to have while alone on the couch.

               Another misconception is that putting a loved one in a home will mean they are locked in a dark room all the time.  How many nursing homes have you visited?  A typical day time scene in the homes I have visited are that during the day the residents are bustling to and fro attending groups, chatting with others, and even getting some exercise.  Did you know that all skilled nursing facilities literally have a staff member whose entire job is to plan and execute activities for the residents?  And if your loved one isn’t exactly a social butterfly, the activities coordinator is still going to bring them activities and provide companionship on a regular basis.  This of course will be in addition to the visits you and your family will be making and would have made if they were at home.

               While I will agree that not all nursing facilities and assisted living centers are created equal they are not the dark and dreary places that people tend to think that they are.  If your loved one is a social person sitting alone in their home the majority of the time is sure to be damaging to their emotional and physical wellbeing.  The flourish of activities, groups, events, and potential friends in these facilities typically will increase the quality of life of your again parent.