Care Homes
Considering a move to a care home (also known as a residential aged care facility or a nursing home) is frequently both difficult and emotional. Recommendations may have been made to move to a care home because of risks in staying at home, being alone or being unable to manage at home despite a maximum of services being provided. For whatever the reason, we understand the uncertainty and sense of foreboding that may accompany the process of looking into care homes.
Moving into a care home does not mean the end of your life. There are some wonderful care homes in Australia, who prioritise the comfort and happiness of their residents. It is important to understand the culture of a care home as this will indicate whether you or your loved one will enjoy life there. This often means visiting the nursing home and speaking with members of their staff, not just the managers. Simply walking around the care home can give some clues as to the culture of the care home. Similarly, understanding the numbers of staff they have available to care for their residents as well as the availability of registered nurses to help administer restricted medicines (e.g. some painkillers) is very important information.
The benefits of moving into a care home can be considerable. An older person who may have been struggling at home can have their quality of life significantly improved as they receive the round the clock cares they need but may not have been available at home. We often see individuals becoming more social as they have a chance to be around other people which can have a positive benefit on depression, especially where one has experienced a recent bereavement. Another significant benefit is optimizing risk, for example minimizing the risk of falls by seeing a physiotherapist regularly to improve strength and balance.
Our role at the Salus Clinic is to help you understand everything you need to know about care homes, from the importance of the care provided through the staff to the mix of the people there and how you would fit in. We help with the process and continue to support our seniors who have entered a care home, through continued monitoring of health and focusing on what you want.