One of the hardest decisions that we make is whether or not to put our parent or a family member with a disability in a nursing home. Whether you and your family are facing a quick decision about a nursing home due to to a recent event, or have been coping with a worsening progressive disease such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, considering a nursing home is not any easy decision.
If you opt for a nursing home, with short-term care or long-term care services, you will probably compare nursing homes that are nearby so you can visit often. Foremost in your mind would be quality of life and comfort for your family member. Nursing homes are not only for the elderly, but for anyone who requires 24-hour care.
A nursing home is a place for people who don’t need to be in a hospital but can’t be cared for at home. As we age, we often become unbalanced and fall much more easily. This can result in traumatic accidents including fractures, strokes or heart attacks. A nursing home with 24-hour skilled nursing care is imperative.The goal after an incident is rapid recovery. Depending on the health problem, a physical therapist will help the patient with flexibility, strength, endurance, coordination, and/or balance.
Elderly people often suffer from restrictive lung disease including COPD, emphysema, pneumonia, or chronic bronchitis. You will want to find a skilled nursing care facility that can effectively deal with these conditions. Rapid recovery is very important if an incident occurs.
The goal of physical therapy is to make daily tasks and activities easier. For example, it may help with walking, going up stairs, or getting in and out of bed. This will help the patient have rapid recovery so they can return home quicker or get around much easier.
Physical therapy helps patients move better and may relieve pain. It also helps improve or restore their physical function and your fitness level. With therapeutic recreation, rapid recovery is possible. Many nursing homes offer therapy seven days a week.
Physical therapy is provided by physical therapists, who are licensed health care professionals with a master’s or doctorate degree in physical therapy. A good senior rehabilitation center offers respite care, too. There are many activities they can engage in to take a breather and enjoy the time they have left.
Learn all you can regarding knowing how to choose a nursing home. Make sure the facility is accredited, regards your opinions and concerns, is clean and appealing, specializes in rehabilitation care, has board certified medical staff, and that their team work together to take the best possible care of your loved one.
