You may be struggling with the decision to put a parent or loved one in a senior care home. This is a hard thing to go through, and you want to approach it from a place of love for this person and empathy for yourself. Your parent or loved one could be showing signs of weakening health or motor functions. Maybe you’ve been doing your best to support them, but you feel you no longer have the time, resources, or bandwidth to keep doing this on a regular basis.

What’s best for your loved one in this situation might also be what’s best for you. There are signs that it’s time to find a great care home for your parent, where they can get the ongoing support and social stimulation they need for a healthy life.

Signs It May Be Time To Put A Loved One In A Nursing Home

ROUTINE TASKS

If your loved one is unable to take care of themselves on a daily basis, this is the first sign that it’s in their best interest to move them to an assisted living facility. When routine tasks like getting out of bed, eating, and performing personal hygiene become too difficult for your parent to do on their own, they’ll benefit from caring and trained support staff.

FALLS

Another sign that they’re unable to take proper care of themselves is if they experience regular falls. Falls can be dangerous for seniors, so if your parent has had any number of injuries from falls in the past few years, you might consider moving them into a care home. Not only do care homes have design features that can prevent falls, but there are also trained staff onsite who can handle emergencies.

CONFUSION

As people age, it’s not uncommon for them to develop confusion, Alzheimer’s, or other forms of dementia. If your loved one has been in danger due to a bout of confusion – perhaps they wandered from home and got lost, or entered the wrong household – then it’s a good sign that you should find a supportive care center for them. Onsite staff will keep your parent safe and accounted for.

MEDICAL APPOINTMENTS

Frequent visits to the hospital or doctor could be taking their toll on you. If they’re making the trip frequently, you might consider moving them to a care home where nurses and doctors do routine visits. If your parent does need to make a trip to the doctor, a care home will have staff who can schedule, drive, and accompany your parent to their appointments.  to schedule and accompany your loved one, with transportation services available to them. 

Maybe their doctor has suggested you move your parent to a nursing home. If that’s the case, consider talking to some care centres in your area to find out what kind of medical support they provide.

Incontinence, dementia, and depression might be affecting your loved one’s quality of life, and these health issues can be monitored and supported closely at the right care home. On-site staff are there to support your parent’s medical and emotional needs. Not to mention, care centres are full of people in their age-range, so your parent will have peers to enjoy meals and activities with. This alone can improve their well-being and quality of life.

You’re probably feeling guilty as you consider putting your parent or loved one in a care home. You might have made a promise to them that you’d never do that. But the reality is that caregiving can take a toll on you and it can start to affect your work, your relationships, and your health.

You want what’s best for your loved one. Maybe you think that means moving them into your home to take care of them, but it’s ok to admit to yourself that it’s becoming more than you can reasonably handle.

If caregiving is affecting your health or causing you injuries, if you’re becoming irritable or frustrated, or if it’s affecting your relationships and work life, these are all signs that it might be time to seek outside support. It’s normal to feel guilty, but remember, you don’t have to do this alone.

It’s normal to feel anxiety and guilt as you make this decision. Talk with your family, your loved one, and anyone else involved in their care. You can take your time and you don’t have to make this decision alone. We’d advise you to schedule a visit or take a virtual tour with care centres in your area. Get a feel for the facilities, the staff, and their residents. 

Whether you’re considering the Lynn Valley Care Centre or another one near you, you can talk to us to discuss your concerns, needs, and budget. No matter what you decide, you want what’s best for your loved one and we’re here to support you.

ONSITE SUPPORT

The Lynn Valley Care Centre has 24/7 trained onsite support staff. These are individuals who understand the challenges that elderly people face, including incontinence, confusion, loneliness, and difficulty with day to day functions. Their job is to make life more comfortable and enjoyable for the residents.

CERTIFIED DIETICIAN

Our onsite dietician works with every resident to ensure their dietary preferences and needs are met – including taste and texture preferences, dietary restrictions, and daily caloric intake.

MEDICAL CARE

We have transportation services that can take your loved one to and from their doctors’ appointments, with staff dedicated to supporting them on the journey. We also have nurses visit regularly to monitor our patients’ health and well-being.

COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES

And of course, we pride ourselves on having a great community, so we have a variety of recreational and therapeutic activities to support our residents. This includes fitness programming, art and music therapy, and activities to engage the mind and maintain social interactions.

It’s normal to feel anxiety and guilt as you make this decision. Talk with your family, your loved one, and anyone else involved in their care. You can take your time and you don’t have to make this decision alone. We’d advise you to schedule a visit or take a virtual tour with care centres in your area. Get a feel for the facilities, the staff, and their residents.

Whether you’re considering the Lynn Valley Care Centre or another one near you, you can talk to us to discuss your concerns, needs, and budget. No matter what you decide, you want what’s best for your loved one and we’re here to support you. To compare specific care centres in the area, read our article on the 5 best care centres in North Vancouver.