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4 Tips On Convincing Your Family For A Nursing Home Move

Tips On Deciding For A Nursing Home Move

It’s difficult enough to deal with making a decision to move a loved one into a nursing home. When you have to deal with criticism from others, it can be devastating. When you’re a caregiver, your entire life revolves around the patient. Many come to look at your life as ‘normal’ – for you, at least.

Often, when the caregiver needs support for decisions he or she is making, she may receive criticism instead. How to deal with it – especially when it may come from other family members - is complicated and must be handled delicately. First, remember that most people (mainly the ones criticizing) don't have a clue how difficult it is to care for an invalid or someone who is losing their mental faculties. If you’re a caregiver who’s having a problem eliciting support for a nursing home move, there are several ways you can cope.

1Do Your Research About Nursing Homes

Before you announce the move of a loved one to a nursing home, research the best ones for your particular situation. It’s good to have your “guns loaded” for the comments about the anonymity of nursing homes. Present the facts about several nursing homes, then talk about the one you chose and why. Perhaps, you could get a recommendation from someone who has used a nursing home and had a good experience.

2Be Ready With A Plan

Your plan should not only be for your loved one’s continued care. It should also include, how other family members can help after the person takes up residence in a nursing facility. It’s important that you all work together to ensure the success of the transition.

3Let Others Know About Your Struggles

Caring for the elderly is never an easy task. If the job has become physically more than you can bear, others should know about it. For example, if you need to lift the patient or are in charge of bath and personal duties, it can be overwhelming.

4Stand Firm On Your Decision

If you are the primary caregiver, in charge of making major decisions for the loved one, be firm in your decision. It helps if you can get the patient on your side, too. That may involve a trip to the nursing home and straightforward talk about the situation.

Not everyone is going to understand your decision to put the loved one in a nursing home. Getting some counseling for yourself might help you to cope with the outcome of the decision. And, keep in mind that you should be proud of yourself for having the courage to make the decision that's best for all involved.



About Author

John Quintana

John Quintana is a proud Cuban, a lifelong resident of Miami, Florida where he lives surrounded by a loving family. When he's not writing, he spends his time either fishing or in the kitchen.