It can be difficult for elderly people to move into a nursing home or other care facility. They may be very resistant to the idea. It is often up to their adult children to decide when it’s time to make this move.
But that doesn’t mean that it’s easy for these children to make the decision, either. They want to be sure that it is the right one. What are some of the signs that you should look for if you’re considering this for your own parent?
Significant risks
For one thing, consider if there’s a risk to having a parent live on their own. Maybe they’ve experienced some dangerous falls or had other accidents. It may become clear that the risk is too great for them to remain in their home.
Assistance with care
Another thing to consider is if the person can even take care of themselves. Are they able to do things like getting dressed or taking a shower? Are they able to run errands? When someone needs assistance with general care around the clock, that’s often too much for family members to provide.
A declining condition
Finally, it’s important to consider a nursing home when someone has a chronic health condition that is either worsening or that has to be monitored consistently. A nursing home may be necessary.
Possible legal considerations
The whole process of moving someone into a nursing home can be complicated. What if they refuse? Would a guardianship be necessary so that an adult child can make legal decisions for their parent?
Another thing to consider is if the elderly person is incapacitated. Incapacitation can transfer the ability to make these decisions to the person the elderly person has given power of attorney. With questions like these and many more, family members need to be sure they understand what legal steps to take.
