The decision to send your loved one to be cared for in a nursing home isn't always an easy one, even when the nursing home in question is more like a five-star resort.
It marks a new time in your family's life, a new era. The matriarch or patriarch of the family needs a little bit more care than they used to, and while they will always be the wisest and most revered, they can no longer live on their own.
Once a loved one makes the transition to a nursing home, there will be a slight learning curve for everyone involved. There are some things that you can do to make the staff and your family member much happier, but there are also some things you may be doing to make the stay more difficult.
These 10 things are absolute don'ts in any nursing home. Even though you may know what works for your loved one, you may not know the rules of the facility or the preferences of the other patients.
Did we leave anything off our list? Let us know in the comments and please SHARE this important information with your family and friends on Facebook!
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1. Roll In With A Whole Welcome Wagon
Enormous groups are almost always stressful, but depending on your family and what your loved one is used to, the meaning of "large" will vary. Some may be OK with 10 people, while others start to feel uneasy with anything more than two people.
Pay attention to how your loved one reacts to different groups of people and make sure you keep the size at a place where they seem comfortable.
2. Bring Feisty Animals
If you have an overactive dog, or a pet that is prone to lashing out, leave him or her at home and wait for a day pass for a canine reunion if your loved one really does want to see the pooch.
Your nursing home may not even allow pets in the first place, so before you do anything at all, check with the facility.
3. View The Staff As Nameless
The caregivers at your loved one's nursing home are the ones who are there to help with every little need. They spend tons of time with your loved one when you are not there, and they often form relationships with their residents and their families.
Learn their names and thank them for all the special things that they do for your family member.
4. Complain About Every Little Thing
Working in a nursing home is difficult, but the workers know that being in one and visiting one can be very difficult too. They are doing everything that they can to get their job done, but sometimes their to-do lists runneth over.
If you complain about every little thing, that may mark you as an over-complainer, and will make the employees think you could be exaggerating. Avoid becoming a "boy who cried wolf." Chances are the minor complaints will be taken care of in due time.
5. Bring Up A Depressing Topic
This reminder is especially important while talking to patients with dementia. Any downtrodden comment or topic of conversation can severely depress your loved one. Remember, mood and outlook on life can have a severely negative impact on health.
Try your darnedest to be the brightest beam of sunshine in your loved one's day.
6. Visit During Meal Or Activity Times
Some facilities don't allow visitors during designated activity times or during meals. Check with your specific facility before just showing up.
Generally, it's best to stick to visiting hours so that you don't disturb the caregiver's workflow or your loved one's routine or possible social time.
7. Stay Too Long
This will mean something different for every resident, but just make sure you pay attention to whether or not the person you're visiting is getting sleepy or stressed out. Your visits are much appreciated, but for some folks, entertaining can really take a toll.
8. Bring Gifts To The Staff Without Asking
Some nursing homes don't allow gifts to be given to their workers, so just make sure that it's allowed before bringing something extra special for your loved one's caretaker. If the home unfortunately doesn't allow gifts, write them a lovely card instead.
9. Wake Anyone Up
If your loved one is asleep when you get there, don't wake them. They most likely need sleep, and if you visit them when they are woozy, it will be more frustrating than enjoyable.
Also, be sure to not wake any of your loved one's neighbors during your visit either.
10. Barge In Unannounced
You should always knock on your loved one's door before entering, to preserve their privacy. You have to remember that this is their home now, and you should treat it as such.
What other things should be absolutely avoided in a nursing home? Let us know in the comments and please SHARE with your family and friends on Facebook!
