Nursing Home Resident

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Nursing Homes
A nursing home is a live-in facility that provides either medical or non-medical care for elderly residents in a comfortable environment. Nursing homes can either be privately owned or run by federal, state, or other government organizations. There are three types of nursing homes that are appropriate for the care that the patient may need.

Skilled nursing homes provide the most extensive services. They run much like hospitals and contain medical services, therapy programs, and dental services for the patients. These types of homes benefit patients that need to have constant monitoring due to serious illnesses or as a result of major accidents. Skilled nursing homes also have agreements with hospitals in order to transfer patients to hospital care, and so doctors can regularly visit and monitor the patients.

Intermediate care facilities are the most common types of nursing homes. They provide basic services for the patients with registered nurses monitoring the care that the patients need. Many patients suffer long-term illnesses that require minor medical attention. In some cases, the patients that suffer illnesses, such as Alzheimer disease or Parkinson’s disease, are not elderly (over 65).

Supervised assisted living facilities do not provide any medical services. The residents of these facilities need help dressing or preparing food, however are in good health. These nursing homes have various social activities and field trips for the residents.

Nursing Home Resident

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Emotional Effects of Nursing Home Care
It is difficult for families to place a loved one in a nursing home. In many cases, the decision is a last resort because the patients have a hard time caring for themselves. Sometimes the family is able to care for their family member within their home, however, in most cases this kind of care can be financially and emotionally straining. The adjustment to nursing home living can be stressful for the patient. They are taken out of the comfort of their, or their families home and put in a sterile environment with other patients where they have to share space and in some cases see the home as a transition before death. It is important that the patient’s mental state is monitored so the adjustment does not lead to depression or other health problems. When the patients are part of the decision process of which home to choose, they are more likely to adjust better to the new environment. It is extremely important for family members and/or friends to visit loved ones in nursing homes to remind them they are loved and not forgotten.

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