Elderly Healthcare: Is it Time For a Nursing Home?

If you have an elderly loved one struggling with mental and/or physical health issues, you may be contemplating if it’s time for long term nursing home care. This decision may be one of the most difficult ones you will ever have to make.

There are many families and caregivers who put in a lot of effort, often to the degradation of their own mental wellbeing, to keep their loved one at home. There may come a time, however, when the amount of care needed outweighs the care that can be provided at home.

The decision to place your loved one in a nursing home facility is a very personal one that involves a lot of emotions. It takes careful consideration to determine if it is the right choice for them, and there is no “right” time for everyone.

Before you make a final decision, there are signs that will let you know if it’s time to find an elder care facility for them.

Your loved one is finding it difficult to care for themselves

Are you concerned about how your senior loved one is taking care of themselves when you are not around? You may start to notice that they aren’t bathing regularly or have stopped cleaning their home the way they used to.

As people age into senior years it can often become much more difficult to perform simple day to day tasks. This can be a main deciding factor when choosing whether or not to place them in a nursing home. There, they are no longer responsible for housekeeping and will have highly qualified staff to assist with basic tasks like bathing.

This is a particular sign that shouldn’t be ignored. Not only can it lead to a decrease in home value, but can lead to health issues as well.

Loss of mobility

A U.S. Census Bureau report released in 2014 found that around 40% of elderly adults suffer from at least one disability. A substantial majority said they had issues with getting up and down the stairs and walking. Mobility is one of those issues that unfortunately declines in many older people. They began to find that they can’t get up and move around as easily as they used to. Suddenly, it becomes too difficult for a senior to move around the house, much less get out and enjoy life. For those living in two story homes, they may find themselves confined to living on one floor, or even in a few rooms only. If you’ve noticed this happening to your loved one, it may be time to consider long term care.

Repeated falls

One of the greatest threats to seniors when they lose mobility is the increased risk of falls that can result in serious, if not deadly, injuries. Recent studies have shown that one American over the age of 65 is treated in the emergency room for fall related injuries every 11 seconds, and one American over the age of 65 dies every 19 minutes as a result of a fall.

If your loved one has been falling at home, it is only a matter of time before they sustain serious injuries. Mobility issues will only continue to be a problem and in a lot of cases, only get worse. Nursing home facilities provide the peace of mind that your loved one has staff on hand at all times to assist them in getting up and around, helping to avoid falls.

Forgetting to take medications

As our loved ones age, it is very likely that the amount of medications they need to take will increase. On average, a senior citizen takes about 5 prescription medications a day. Everyone forgets to take medication occasionally, regardless of age. However, if your family member is forgetting to take medications on a regular basis, serious complications can arise, especially if they are suffering from chronic health conditions. You should really consider whether you can trust that they are taking medications as they should, or not. Nursing home staff ensures that residents take those medications on time, every time.

You are unable to provide proper care at home

There are a lot of people who will delay placing an elderly family member into long term nursing care facilities for as long as they possibly can. Some move in with their family member or have the family member move in with them. Doing so is admirable, but there may come a time when you are no longer capable of providing the necessary care at home.

Some signs that will let you know if you now need nursing home care are:
–  Your own health is suffering because of the amount of care required by your loved one.
– You’re unable to take care of your own responsibilities because of the care commitment to your loved one.
– You’re suffering from caregiver burnout.
– Your other personal relationships are suffering
– You are physically unable to provide the level of care they need.

If you can no longer properly provide the care your loved one needs, you are doing them more harm than good, and possibly putting yourself at risk at the same time.


Jurney’s Assisted Living was established in 1996 and provides a wide variety of individualized personal care needs to seniors. We help those who need assistance with their activities of daily living, medication management support, and supervision in our around the clock Assisted Living community.

Our community is truly special. From the outdoor exercise walkways to the cozy private rooms, everything is planned for a homelike setting for our residents and their families. Comfort and convenience was designed into our rooms, the living areas located throughout the community, the spacious activity areas and the inviting dining room. Once you visit, you’ll recognize the caring staff and features that will enhance the quality of life for your loved one.