For many younger people, the idea of placing their elderly loved one into a care setting can feel a bit like abandoning them or placing them somewhere that will make them unhappy.
Of course, there are some cases where a person who moves into an elderly care setting becomes unhappy at first, but, as such settings are based on the needs of those who live there, it is often beneficial for them in the long term.
So, if you are puzzled if such a move can improve your loved one’s way of life, read on as here, some of the benefits will be explored.
1. Promotes Independence
A Sidmouth care home has the aim of keeping its residents as independent as possible.
This is using slopes, easy to use bathrooms and lavatories, easy to use kitchens and so on. In short, an older person will often be able to do more independently in a care home, promoting their independence, which will help them feel more confident.
2. Equipment on Hand
Care homes are designed with their residents in mind. Ergo, there is a lot of medical equipment on hand, all the toilets and washing spaces are accessible and there are few (if any) stairs.
This means that it is easier for a person to get around the space, even with mobility issues, which can improve their fitness and flexibility.
3. Staff Access
Care homes have 24-hour staff. This includes care staff, nurses, and on-call doctors.
The benefit here is straightforward: an older person with health issues will have quick and immediate access to medical care as and when needed. This will keep them healthy and will prevent delays to emergency treatment in the event of a fall. If an older person is living at home alone and falls, they may not have access to help for many days, which can cause a lot of secondary complications.
4. Company
Unsurprisingly, many older people with restricted mobility due to arthritis or other issues may have a tough time getting out of the house to meet friends.
Pair this with often living alone; many older people may feel trapped in their homes, going for days without speaking to someone. One benefit of living in an elderly care setting is that they will always have other people around them to talk to, even if they end up arguing about things! This has been shown to improve older adults’ mental health and cognitive states, and even if they complain about their neighbors, they prefer having them there to live by themselves.
5. Activities
Many older people report feeling lonely at home, especially if they live alone and their children do not visit them often.
The loneliness can cause them to stop engaging with the outside world, and to engage in fewer activities. If a person has a diagnosis of a condition such as Alzheimer’s, this can speed up its progression. When a person lives in an elderly care setting, daily activities will keep their minds and bodies active. In many cases, the staff will cater the activities to each person’s mental state and accessibility so they won’t have to participate in activities they cannot do. This will keep them mentally and physically active, improving their mental health and slowing down any ailments such as Alzheimer’s.
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