By opting to age in place, seniors can live freely in their own homes, full of memories and familiar surroundings. However, chronic health concerns can be difficult to manage at home for them and their families. While many seniors can live happy, fulfilling lives with the right support and care, there comes a point when they may require additional services, such as skilled nursing care, to keep them safe and well.
Chronic Illnesses and Seniors
Many seniors suffer from chronic illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, and respiratory ailments. Frequently, these ailments require continuous monitoring and care, which involves medication management, dietary modifications, and more.
As these conditions progress, they may cause consequences that are hard to handle on one’s own without additional help. This is where skilled nursing care comes in, ensuring seniors get the care they need and providing family members with peace of mind.
The Family Caregivers’ Role
Family caregivers are essential for helping seniors manage chronic diseases at home. They frequently help with daily tasks, accompany seniors to appointments, and assist with medicines. However, the obligations placed on caretakers increase as chronic illnesses become more complicated. Burnout, frustration, and a breakdown of relationships may result from this, which is the last thing anyone wants to happen.
Recognizing the Need for Skilled Nursing
For family members, asking for additional assistance brings about a range of emotions, from relief to guilt and everything in between. Still, the benefits of skilled nursing care go above and beyond these emotions; it just requires taking the first step.
Below are some signs that indicate family members might need to consider adding skilled nursing care to their loved one’s support group:
- Regular Hospitalizations: A senior’s demands may be increasing beyond what family members can do on their own if they’ve been admitted to the hospital or visited the ER more frequently as a result of problems from their chronic illness.
- Increased Medication Needs: Taking care of several prescriptions at once can be difficult and confusing, particularly if they need to be monitored or taken at certain times. Skilled nursing care may be required if family members discover that medication management is getting too complicated.
- Issues with Physical or Cognitive Functioning: Chronic diseases that cause a loss in physical and cognitive functioning can make it more difficult for seniors to carry out everyday tasks. When this happens, skilled nursing care assists seniors with these things, ensuring they have everything they need.
These are only a few of the signs that indicate seniors might need more assistance, like skilled nursing care, as they continue to age in place. Talking with them and the medical team can help family members process what care is needed.
Aging in place is popular for various reasons, and many family members want to do all they can to ensure their loved one’s success in this arrangement. This means understanding their needs and being open to receiving outside assistance, like skilled nursing care.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Skilled Nursing Care in Riverview, FL, please contact the caring staff at Family First Healthcare Services today at (813) 461-8000.
Family First Healthcare Services is a top provider of in-home health services in Tampa, Bradenton, Brandon, Riverview, Lakeland, Winter Haven, Haines City, Lakewood Ranch, Palmetto, Town ‘n’ Country, Florida, and surrounding areas.
Sources:
- https://www.uchealth.org/today/how-older-adults-can-manage-chronic-conditions/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/aging-in-place#concerns
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9495472/
- https://www.usnews.com/360-reviews/services/aging-in-place#
- https://www.amgseniorcare.com/the-benefits-of-skilled-nursing-care-for-seniors-aging-in-place
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