Care homes can be very helpful, but no one moves into one without a lot of thought. There are a lot of reasons why you might decide that a care home is right for you, and there are facts you should think about before making the move. One point to consider is what services a care home can offer. Read on to find out more.
Medical Services
In residential care homes, caregivers help residents take care of their medications and help them with daily tasks and personal care. However, if a resident needs medical help from a specialist, for example, because of a sudden illness or accident, a district nurse or local doctor will usually be called, or the person may need to go to the hospital.
Activities
Activities in care homes are for a much more important reason than just to pass the time. Studies show that organised activities are good for your mental and physical health in many ways. This includes changes to mood, memory, sleep and the way the immune system works.
So, good care homes such as Signature care homes give people the chance to do enriching, meaningful activities every day. There are a lot of different kinds of activities here, from mixology workshops to martial arts classes. Residents can choose programmes based on what interests them or try completely different activities.
Specialist Care Needs
People with health problems such as mental health problems, degenerative conditions like MS, blindness, or any physical disabilities can get help from specialists at many care homes. This means that if you have these kinds of needs, it doesn't mean you have to go to a nursing home, which can be a relief for many. There are a lot of residential care homes that are licenced to help people with these kinds of conditions. Check to make sure that the care home you choose can meet your specific needs.
Safety
It might be that an older person can no longer live alone due to safety reasons. They might have mobility issues that make them unsteady on their feet and vulnerable to a fall, for example, or they might have the onset of dementia, meaning they are unable to remember to feed or wash, or they leave the house and get lost. In any of these situations – and others – a care home can provide the safety and security they are currently lacking.
There will be teams of nursing and specialist staff on hand 24/7 in order to ensure that every resident in a care home has what they need and are safe at all times. Due to the specialist care mentioned above, they will be less vulnerable, giving you complete peace of mind.
Socialising And Companionship
Your friend or relative will have countless opportunities throughout the day to sit and socialise with people not only of a similar age but also with people whose situations are the same as their own. There is no reason to be concerned that they will have to go for long stretches of time each day without any form of human interaction or company.
If they lived alone, it is entirely possible that they might go entire days or more without interacting with anyone, which is bad for their mental, emotional and even physical health.
