Putting A Family Member In A Retirement Home: Pros And Cons

Posted by: KHTS Articles in News Articles June 16, 2020 - 10:28 am 0 438 Views

Aging is a factor of life and there comes a point where we have to consider what is best for our loved ones when it comes to where they live. However, this isn’t easy as there are many options from looking after them in our own homes to moving them into an assisted living facility or even for them to be housed in a full-time retirement home. Choosing the right option can be very difficult as often each individual case is different so sometimes your approach needs to be tailored to the needs of the patient. As a loving son or daughter, it can also be emotionally traumatic to see a loved one’s circumstances change so here we are going to take a look at the pros and cons of putting a family member into a retirement home.

Pros

1. Sociability

One of the problems with growing old is loneliness as the elderly do not get to spend as much time as they would like socializing with their own age group. Sure they might go to a WI meeting or meet at the local bowls club, but this isn’t the same as spending all day with your friends. The beauty of a retirement home is that they will have company all day long, which will improve their mental health and help with their cognitive responses.

2. Level of care

Despite our best efforts it is very difficult looking after the elderly. Some can require round the clock care and even though we love our parents dearly we don’t have the experience to give them the attention that they require. A residential home solves this problem as there will be fully qualified doctors and nurses on hand 24 hours a day to provide the level of care that they deserve.

3. Structure

In the 21st Century, our lives have never been busier and having an elderly loved one in the home can be difficult for both parties because it is hard to give them the structured life that they need. We found very useful information on this website regarding how retirement homes structure the day of their patients so that they will always be doing something stimulating, and are never left alone or bored. This is important if they are to have a quality end to their lives, and is a great reason to move a loved one into full-time care.

Cons

1. Expense

Unfortunately, round the clock care does not come cheap. For many people, it simply isn’t an option to move a loved one into a home because of the prohibitive costs which can run into the tens of thousands a year. If your loved ones have a decent pension or they have planned for this eventuality by saving, then there is no better place for the elderly than a home, but sadly many people cannot afford it so they will have to look for part-time care, or even care for the elderly in their own home.

2. Poor care

Rightly or wrongly many residential homes have garnered a poor reputation when it comes to the level of care in their homes, and this is only highlighted by media horror stories. Unfortunately, it is often difficult to know what standards a home will have as they can pull the wool over your eyes on a visit, and sadly the elderly often aren’t in a position to complain. All you can do is research as much as possible and take into account word of mouth reviews to ensure you send your loved one to a home with the highest possible level of care.

3. Independence

No matter how old people are, some still crave their independence, and putting them in a home may not be the right decision. Whilst some welcome structure into their lives, others are free spirits even in their old age and do not want to be told what to do. Although there is a community spirit in a home there can often be clashes of personality between patients and staff alike, and oftentimes people have no experience of living in numbers and just want their personal space. So, the moral of the story here is to talk to your loved ones before moving them into a home.

As we have discovered there are many pros and cons when it comes to putting a family member into a retirement home. They are prohibitively expensive but can provide a level of care that could not be provided in your own home. Community is important to all adults especially the elderly so a home will give them ample opportunity to socialize with their own age group, however, if they are used to living at home it could be overwhelming so always take their feelings into consideration before making a decision.