4 Ways to Keep Seniors Happy in a Nursing Home
As the population of seniors continues to grow, more people are finding themselves in nursing homes. While this can be a relieving solution for caregivers to seniors, it can be a tough way to spend their golden days. They often feel isolated and bored, leading to depression and other health problems. However, with a little bit of effort, it is possible to keep seniors happy in a nursing home. Here are four ways to accomplish this:
Develop a Personal Relationship with Their Care Providers
Finding reliable nursing homes, like the Bothell nursing homes, can be challenging, but that’s not the only challenging and important role you’ll be accomplishing.
The next crucial thing to do is develop a close relationship with the care providers who’ll be attending to them. This is important as it helps ensure that your loved ones will be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.
It also allows you to get an insider’s perspective on how things work in the home and what challenges they’re facing. You can equally easily share your loved one’s medical and special needs with the team for efficient, seamless care. This way, your loved ones can feel loved and cared for even when you’re far away from them.
Have them Participate in Activities
One of the best ways to keep seniors happy is to participate in activities. This can range from social activities, like bingo or arts and crafts, to physical activities, like walking or swimming. The important thing is that they’re engaging in something that they enjoy, making them feel good.
You can also help by bringing in photos, mementos, and other personal items from home to make their space more inviting and familiar. This can help them feel more comfortable and happy in their new surroundings.
Visit Them More Often
While it’s not always easy to visit a nursing home and spend quality time with your loved ones, you can always make an effort to visit more often. If you can, try to stop by at least once a day. This will help keep them connected with the outside world and prevent them from feeling isolated or alone. They’ll also know that you’re thinking of them and that you care about their well-being, hence lower chances of depression.
You can also write letters or send cards on special occasions or encourage other family members and friends to visit as often as they can. Finally, don’t forget to tell them how much you love and appreciate them. A simple “I love you” can go a long way in making someone feel valued and loved.
Look Out for Signs of Elder Abuse
Before admitting your senior relative into a facility, you should be on the lookout for possible signs of elder abuse in the facility. While it is highly unlikely your loved one will be physically abused, they might still suffer other forms of abuse that you might not easily notice. For your loved one’s safety, check for the following signs before admitting them to a facility:
- Staff burnout – Staff members who are constantly overworked and stressed are more likely to vent their frustrations on elderly residents.
- Inadequately trained nurses and other staff – If the staff members are not properly trained, they might not know how to handle difficult behaviors from residents.
- Lack of supervision – If there are not enough staff members on duty, your loved one might not be getting the quality care they need.
If you notice any of these red flags, it’s best to look for another facility for your loved one. These are just a few of the ways you can keep your elderly loved ones happy in a nursing home. It’s important to choose a nursing home that will best fit your elderly loved one. Be sure to tour the facility, meet the staff, and ask questions.
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