5 Overlooked Aspects of Elderly Care Every Family Should Know

November 18, 2024

One of the biggest responsibilities a family can have in life is caring for the elderly. When you have to trust professional caregivers, it is so hard to make a decision about which facility you are going to commit to.

Choosing the best nursing home care is hard, especially if you are not sure what to look for and what the most important things the nursing home should provide to your senior loved one are.

Don’t worry, you are not the only one. Every caring family has the same struggle because you care deeply about finding the best possible choice for someone you love so much. Actually, that worry is good because it makes you question everything about the facility you are considering choosing, and in that way, you will check everything you need to in order to make a good decision.

There are some of the most common aspects most people already know, like checking reviews and ratings, staff-to-resident-ratio, etc., but there are some often overlooked aspects that are also crucial things you should know.

Here are 5 overlooked aspects of elderly care that deserve your attention.

Range-of-Motion Therapy

Mobility is the ‘usual problem’ for senior people, and maintaining it is vital for their sense of independence and overall well-being. You should be very careful with this matter because it is often overlooked in nursing home care centers.

Unfortunately, in some cases, such as Caring Heart Rehabilitation and Nursing Center’s failure to provide proper range-of-motion care, it can lead to health risks and even negligence.

That is why you should check their approach to range-of-motion therapy and how much they’re effective in motion therapy treatments.

Mental and Emotional Well-Being

This is something that is very important for every family member. You need to know that your loved one is happy and that his emotional state is good, but don’t get yourself into thinking that luxury conditions and a nice room are enough for that.

Elderly people often feel isolated and depressed in nursing homes because the facility doesn’t provide them with engaging activities, social interaction, and time for (targeted) hobbies, to give them a sense of purpose.

Every human being needs some interaction with other people, some activities he likes, and to feel that he/she is useful and needed. It is the same with the elderly because age doesn’t make any difference in this matter.

In order to be sure that your loved one is going to have fulfilled time in the facility where he is going to stay, you should ask the facility management about the programs that are created to promote mental health.

Personalized Nutrition Plans

Good nutrition is essential for health, and over the last 10 years, people across the world are raising their awareness of that. Yet, some people overlook this issue because they think that if the facility is nice and clean, and if the management says that they are putting so much effort into providing the best care for the residents, that implies nutrition as well.

Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Malnutrition can lead to serious health conditions, and poor nutrition can also affect overall well-being as well, so you should approach this matter carefully. Ask the facility about their nutrition plans, how much they are individualized, and how much attention they pay to the quality of nutrition overall.

Hygiene and Infection Control

Hygiene is one of the most important questions, and it is not just a matter of cleaning beds and bathrooms. It is a level of care that is crucial for every resident's health, especially for those with bedsores or respiratory infections.

In those cases, inadequate hygiene practices can lead to severe health complications. That is the reason why you should check thoroughly their hygiene protocols.

Clear Communication and Transparency

You would like to know everything relevant about the health condition of your loved one, that’s for sure, but to achieve that, the facility your senior is staying must be open for communication and transparency.

You should ask the nursing home you are considering if they give regular updates on residents to their families.

Bonus tip: How Families Can Take Action

Your involvement in your loved one's health and overall well-being is essential to prevent any violations or neglect. That is why you should be informed regularly about his condition, have open communication with caregivers, and visit them regularly.

If you notice any red flags, you should react immediately and consider asking for legal advice.

Conclusion

Ensuring your elderly have the best possible care is a hard task, but when you finish choosing the best facility, you are going to feel so happy and carefree.

Take the appropriate steps to find out if the nursing home care in question involves more than just the obvious parameters; but also every seemingly trivial detail, including range-of-motion therapy for seniors who wish to maintain their independence.

Find out whether there’s a program that addresses the mental activities/health of the residents. Also, check if there’s a plan for quality and individualized nutrition?

The level of cleanliness is very important, of course. But it's even more so for bedridden patients at the risk of developing pressure sores or pneumonia. But also washrooms, bathrooms – they should all be as per hygienic standard.

Last but not least, check how the facility communicates with families and if they encourage family involvement and regular updates.