What to Do? What to Do?

WHAT TO DO? WHAT TO DO?
NURSING HOME CARE
A DECISION WE HOPE WE NEVER HAVE TO MAKE

In my family, we used to joke around saying, "Mom's going to go into a nursing home," just teasing her and she would laugh. We don't joke anymore, not now, knowing what I know.

As a matter of practical discussions, my family has had these conversations where I know that for myself, and many of my family members, none of us would ever want to be a burden to our family.

For most people, I would think they would want nothing more than to keep their loved one at home and comfortable as best they can. Sometimes, there comes a point where this is just no longer an option. You've exhausted your resources and seek outside help.

The family has taken shifts around the clock in an effort to keep that loved one safe. They are worn down because of some of the endless nights. Some elderly people get dementia and cannot even process that it's their very own son or daughter there helping them and they can become combative and try to leave.

Time has no meaning under these circumstances. It can be midday or midnight.

Some elderly become incontinent and feeble needing more than medications at their specified times and help with bathing or everyday functioning from using a urinal to brushing their hair, but most important is their safety.

The family comes together and makes a decision that is one of the hardest decisions to do especially when your loved one is scared, but again, it's a safety issue and has to be done.

This is an ordeal that families live with that decision before during and after the admittance process that they wish they didn't have to make. There is nothing easy about it. But, they are told by the nursing home, we will take good care of him/her. Don't worry, we understand.

Really?

Then keep them safe!

Unfortunately, I have worked on cases where people placed in these nursing homes have fallen and ultimately died. Choked and died. Disappeared and died. Bed sores with such horrific infection - died.

Placing a family member into the hands of a nursing home is a very tough decision to make. That decision should be honored with the promises that were made to your family when you entrusted the care of your loved one to a nursing home facility.

If you find yourself having to make this decision, I truly hope the nursing home care your loved one receives is top notch as it is so well deserved by our elderly folks that have worked so hard all their lives and raised our local families. And, if you find yourself ever in need of help because these promises were not met and caused your loved one harm, come see us. We've seen it and we understand what your family is going through. We want to keep these things from happening over and over again and make the nursing homes keep their promises.