It is important to know when it is time to look for a quality nursing home for your loved one. To help you know whether it is time for this, you will want to take a few moments to review the following points.
Too Much Medication Is Being Forgotten
Many people will find that they will forget the occasional dose of medication. However, when this is starting to become a habit because your aging family member is starting to become more forgetful, then it is a problem. This could also lead to over-medicating if they forget that they did take their medication already and then they take it again.
Personal Hygiene Is No Longer Being Kept Up
It is understandable for someone to not shower as much when they are dealing with an illness. However, should your loved one suddenly develop a habit of not keeping up with his or her hygiene routine, you might want to talk to a nursing home about a possible evaluation. In some cases, your elderly family member could be forgetting to shower, change clothes, or brush their hair. It could be a problem with depression. Then again, it could be that he or she is having trouble physically getting in and out of the shower or moving their limbs enough so that clothes can be put on properly.
Names Are Being Forgotten More Often Than Not
Many people occasionally find that they are forgetful when it comes to names. The thing is, though, if this is happening more times than it is not happening, then you will want to seek help. This could be an early sign of dementia and it is important to make sure that you are getting your loved one in a safe environment. As this disease progresses, the elderly person can begin to forget where they are, what year it is, who they are related to, and what they need to do in order to remain safe in their own home such as turning off the gas stove when they are done cooking. As you can imagine, someone with dementia may be a lot safer in a quality nursing home.
With those few signs in mind, you should have an easier time deciding whether it is time to start talking to nursing homes about possibly admitting your elderly loved one. You can also speak with his or her doctor in order to have the situation further evaluated.
For a local nursing home, contact an organization such as Regina Nursing Center.
