Myths and Facts Every Senior Should Know About Nursing Homes
There are many seniors today who find that they when they reach a certain age, the best and safest place for them to live is in a nursing home. Nursing homes provide a great home for many seniors and a wonderful place for these individuals to enjoy their golden years. However, there is a certain stigma attached to nursing homes?one that has many seniors and their families feeling unsure of whether or not this is the best option for them.
However, a nursing home can be a great place for any senior to live and one that can provide them with the safe and comfortable environment that they deserve. This is why it is so important to understand some of the real facts about nursing home, as well as some of the myths and misconceptions out there about nursing homes that may have you unsure about nursing homes.
If you are a family member of a senior who is thinking about sending your loved one to a nursing home, here are the most important things that you need to know.
Let?s start with the myths to get those out of the way.
Myth: Moving an elderly loved one to a nursing home means stripping them of their independence. This is a common fear that many family members have and a myth that needs to be put to rest. Instead of stripping seniors of their independence, many nursing homes actually allow seniors to be more independent, by providing them with the resources they need to do more things safely on their own.
Myth: Nursing Homes Mark the ?Final Days? of a Senior. It is important to remember that nursing homes are not hospitals. A senior is not going to a nursing home because they need hospice care. They are going there to get the care that they need to stay safe. There are many seniors who actually go to nursing homes after an illness or surgery so they can recover before they go back to their home or assisted living community.
Fact: Nursing Home Patients Have Rights. Just because your senior loved one is in a nursing home, it doesn?t mean that their basic rights are taken away. Your loved one?s rights are never taken away. In fact, seniors are actually protected by the government when in a nursing home. They can manage their own money and care and see their own doctor if needed, they also have the right to refuse any treatments or medications.
Fact: All Nursing Homes Are Unique. If you are considering nursing home care for your senior loved one, remember that every nursing home is different. Just because you find one nursing home you don?t love, it doesn?t mean that all of them are the same. Nursing home care and costs vary widely?some nursing homes are more care-oriented while others may seem more like country clubs.
Keep these myths and facts in mind if you are considering nursing home care for yourself or someone you love. The more you know about the reality of nursing homes and the quicker your are able to dispel the myths?the better off you and your loved one will be.
Author Profile
- Lori Thomas has decades of experience as a caregiver. Her writing for SeniorAdvice.com is informed by years of research as well as hands-on family experience caring for her now late mother, who had chronic health issues for most of her life. Lori is an integral part of the SeniorAdvice.com management team, acting as Vice President of Marketing and Chief Editor.
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