Now, this brings us most to two options: nursing homes or in-home health care options. This decision is never easy because a wrong judgment can cause inconvenience for both your loved one and yourself. Some people believe that placing their ill or elder relatives in a nursing home is the best option. Yet, the whole story is very different when you weigh the pros of both options. 

No better place than home

You know what they say “there’s no better place than home” because home is the environment where we feel the safest and most comfortable. We know that nursing homes often market themselves as home-like places, but we all know that it’s just pure marketing. 

In fact, it is known that people who live in the comfort of their own homes live longer than those who are placed in nursing homes. That’s because, unlike nursing homes, in-home care happens in a more comfortable environment where the elderly or ill individuals are surrounded by their loved ones. 

Treatment happens in a familiar and compassionate environment

One thing that we all hate, especially when we are going through a difficult time, is unfamiliarity. 

But feeling uncomfortable about unfamiliar situations is  something that elders are most affected by. Elders prefer the ease of using something or being in a place that is familiar to them. Thus, adapting to new surroundings in a nursing home can be really challenging for them. On the flip side, home health care is provided in their own home, a place which they are familiar with, and where they feel safe when the treatments are being performed. 

But being in a familiar place isn’t the only advantage. The ill or elder patient also gets treatment in a compassionate environment, close to their loved ones. 

One-on-one attention

Perhaps the most significant advantage of home health care compared to nursing homes is that the patient gets one-on-one attention from the caregiver. 

In nursing homes, nurses and doctors care for many patients meaning that the chance for your loved one to get one-on-one attention is rare. 

On the flip side, with home health care, the caregiver has to care for only one patient, your loved one. So, they have the time and attention to focus entirely on helping your family member. 

Moreover, having a caregiver giving all their attention to your loved one, you also get your peace of mind, and you can concentrate on your daily activities. 

Available medical expertise

Home health care services provide patients with support from medical experts such as nurses, doctors, physical therapists, and occupational therapists. Plus, you would know that your loved ones have 24/7 access to medical support as medical experts are sent to the patient’s home in case of emergencies. 

On the flip side, nursing facilities do not offer such amenities because they rarely have medical experts who are available to assist patients around the clock.

Home health care provides better care when compared to nursing homes as they allow the patient to get treatment in a familiar, compassionate, and safe environment. 

The post Why is home health care better than a nursing home? appeared first on Faith Agency Inc | Staffing Agency.

And reality could be even bleaker, experts say. Because they’re afraid of being punished, worrying their loved ones, or simply because they don’t have a family to talk to, only 1 in 14 nursing home residents speak up about their abuse, which further propagates the problem.

But the signs of abuse are rarely unnoticeable. By visiting your loved one more often and analyzing their behavior, you can learn to spot them and take measures for their health and safety.

Physical abuse

The signs of physical abuse are the easiest to spot because they leave marks on the body:

• Injuries, bruises, and scars that can’t be explained by “accidents” (which shouldn’t happen anyway, because the nurses are supposed to supervise them).
• Signs of restraint around the wrist
• Missing patches of hair
• Broken glasses or torn clothes

Emotional abuse

Emotional abuse includes any behavior that diminishes your loved one’s dignity and wellbeing. This includes things such as screaming, insults, shaming, criticism, manipulation (including financial manipulation), or having a generally hostile attitude towards them. As a result, you’ll see changes your loved one’s behavior, such as:

• Feeling sad, distant, or jumpy
• Refusing to be alone in the same room with the caregiver or asking you not to go after a visit
• Developing nervous gestures such as biting their nails, avoiding eye contact, or wringing their hands

Neglect

Although neglect doesn’t imply a specific action, but rather a lack thereof, it’s just as harmful as abuse because it endangers your loved one’s physical and emotional wellbeing. Here are some signs that could indicate neglect in the elderly:

• Unkempt appearance and poor hygiene
• Unexplained weight loss
• Developing clingy behavior

In all these cases, the caregiver might refuse to leave you alone in the same room with your loved one, so watch out for this red flag.

Is home health care safer than a nursing home?

Whether you’ve decided that the nursing home is no longer a safe space for your elderly relative or you don’t want to take the risk, home health care is a viable option. Depending on your needs, either a skilled nurse or a personal caregiver can come to their home for as many hours as needed and help them with their medical therapy, chores, meals, and groceries. This way, they’ll continue to live in a familiar environment, and you’ll continue to be actively involved in their life. 

The post Nursing home abuse – how to spot it and keep your loved one safe appeared first on Faith Agency Inc | Staffing Agency.

Don’t visit your elderly relatives just yet

After months in isolation, you’re eager to see the people that matter to you the most. Before heading over to the home of parents or older relatives, you might want to weigh in the risks. As stated earlier, the elderly are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing serious complications. It’s therefore recommended to avoid unnecessary social contact until the pandemic has passed. If you do decide to make the trip, take precautions. Maintain good hygiene and take good care when interacting with an older loved one.

Provide assistance with food and meals

Preparing healthy and satisfying meals can be more than older people can do and their diet suffers because of this.Work with them to create a shopping list ahead of time. Your older loved ones shouldn’t end up with nothing to eat. They should live a quality life in their own home with healthy, tasty food to enjoy. Having the meals planned ahead of time is a great time-saver for family caregivers, who already have so many responsibilities. If your older loved ones live on their own and don’t have a home care aid, grocery delivery and food services may come in handy.  Elderly relatives require extra assistance with getting to food stores.

Give your elderly relatives a project they can work on

The threat of catching COVID-19 is still present, so seniors should stay at home to avoid close contact. People over the age of 60 and those with underlying health problems like diabetes or lung disease are at risk for severe illness. It’s important to make sure that your aging parents or older relatives are staying engaged. Give them a project to keep them occupied. For instance, have them make a family album. Self-isolation is now the new normal, so your older loved ones might be missing their usual outings. Not being able to leave home doesn’t mean the end of good times. Your elderly relatives need assurance that they’re not alone.

Caring for elderly relatives can be a huge burden. Home health care can make things a lot easier. Make sure that your aging parents or older relatives receive high-quality care by hiring a reliable agency. A home health aide is the ideal choice for your if your older loved ones have an illness or disability and require constant medical attention. If you’re doing the hiring yourself, choose the organization that you think will provide the best care.

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