When a family member moves to a nursing home, it is important to stay involved in their life. More than 1.4 million people 65 and older live in nursing homes, and sadly, almost half of those individuals do not have regular visitors. For families of nursing home residents, there are several things you can do to keep your resident involved with the family after they have entered a nursing home.
Regular Visits
One of the greatest ways to keep your loved one involved with the family after moving into a nursing home is visiting regularly with different family members. This gives your loved one something to look forward to. Visiting regulations in nursing homes are very flexible so it is easy to make time in your schedule to visit your loved ones. You can also determine whether your loved one is receiving the proper care in their nursing home environment.
Schedule Different Visits at Different Times
This gives you the opportunity to bring different family members with you during different times of the day. You can also work other family members’ visits around their schedules and keep your loved one excited and anticipating the next visit. For example, you may choose to bring children in the afternoon and adults at night - it all depends on what you think is appropriate for your loved one and your family.
Call the Nursing Home
This is another alternative if you do not live close to the nursing home, but it is still a good option for communicating with your loved one even if you live close by. A short call to check in on the resident is a small gesture that shows that you are thinking of them. Speaking with a nurse to check up on how the resident is doing is important as well. If your loved one has a computer, teach them to use a service like skype and set up times to video chat with them.
Go to Nursing Home Events
Most nursing homes schedule events that family members can attend. Take advantage of these events and bring other family members along. This gives you a chance to spend time with your loved one in a different setting. Make sure to ask a nurse for an event calendar so you don’t miss an event.
Send Letters and Pictures
This is especially important if you live far away from your loved one’s nursing home. This is a great alternative to keeping your loved one involved with the family. In this fast-paced, computer-age world, it can seem easier to send a text or an email, but hand-written letters are much more personal and will be treasured much more. Sending detailed letters about family updates and attaching pictures of your family is a great way to show the resident that you have not forgotten about them.
Staying involved in your loved one’s life after they enter a nursing home is beneficial for your loved one and yourself. Remember, being involved will ensure that your loved one is getting their needs met. If you have any questions regarding nursing homes and what they offer, visit our website at Lutheran-living.org.
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