As we age, living independently can become more challenging, and there comes a time when families must consider transitioning a loved one into full-time nursing care. Sometimes, families do not recognise the signs that care is required and can wait too long to make the decision, which can make the process more difficult and emotionally fraught.
We’ve identified five key signs that families should look for in their loved ones, indicating it may be time to consider nursing care.
1. They are Experiencing Physical Industries
For many, ageing reduces mobility and stamina, making it challenging for older adults to navigate their homes, especially uneven or slippery areas like stairs, the garden, and the bathroom. This can lead to them falling and incurring other injuries even while pursuing their normal routine.
While a single fall may not in itself indicate the need for nursing care, families should always take such incidents seriously. A sudden increase in falls or minor injuries could be a sign that a person can no longer safely navigate their home and would benefit from living in a purposefully designed residence with tailored mobility assistance and full-time support from qualified specialists.
2. They are Struggling with Medication
Take the time to assess and understand the medication your loved one requires and if they can reasonably be expected to manage it by themselves. A 2022 report by Ageing Medicine reported that many older adults struggle to take their medication regularly and on time. 63% of respondents to a study stated that they struggled to understand the instructions on their medication. While over 47% of older adults surveyed were found to be non-adherent to their medication plan.
Having to take medication is a normal part of the ageing process, and it is understandable that people, especially those with long-term conditions, may struggle to navigate the many types, dosages and times required for safe and effective use. However, skipped or doubled dosages can have serious consequences, so it is vital that these are carefully monitored. Older adults may also struggle with injectable treatments if they have lost dexterity in their hands or may be unable to apply creams or salves by themselves. These challenges can lead to reduced adherence and ultimately lower their quality of life and clinical wellbeing.
With full-time nursing care, older adults receive 24-hour oversight from qualified nurses who ensure that all medication is taken at regular times and at the correct dosages. Luxury care providers, like Loveday, will also work proactively to anticipate and manage side effects and adjust dosages where appropriate to meet a person’s evolving care needs.
3. Changes to Their Home Environment
A key indicator that someone is struggling to live well at home is changes to their home environment. These changes can start small but gradually increase in severity over time and can have a major impact on your loved one’s quality of life. For example, unwashed laundry or dishes might indicate that they are struggling to keep up with day-to-day tasks, post left on the mat rather than picked up immediately could show they are struggling with mobility, and a once beloved garden that has become overgrown may be a sign they cannot keep up with their interests.
It is not just clutter or mess that can indicate there might be a problem. If your loved one is a passionate cook but their kitchen is conspicuously clean, they may no longer have the time or energy to make meals for themselves. If some rooms of their home seem untouched each time you visit, that may be a sign that they are not using them due to mobility issues or lack of energy.
Approach these changes sensitively with your loved one and discuss how they are feeling. If they are struggling to navigate their home, complete day-to-day tasks and live well in their home environment, then it might be time to consider the transition into nursing care. In a nursing home, they will receive the support they need to continue their preferred daily routine and pursue their interests with the comprehensive but discreet support of a qualified nursing team.
4. Their Diet or Eating Habits are Changing
Is your loved one eating a nutritionally balanced diet? Have you noticed changes in their eating habits, relying on takeaways, eating at unusual or irregular times or skipping meals entirely? Older adults are unfortunately very susceptible to malnutrition, with a 2018 study identifying a prevalence as high as 67%. While the cause varies from person to person, it can be due to decreased mobility and low energy, which make cooking difficult or a lack of awareness of the body’s changing nutritional needs. People who are malnourished are not receiving the essential vitamins they need, which can lead to low mood, lethargy and the exacerbation of pre-existing conditions. Families cannot ignore these changing habits as they can be a major indicator of wellbeing and overall health.
At luxury care homes like Loveday’s residences, residents enjoy bespoke menus carefully curated and prepared in-house by our award-winning chefs using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Each meal is prepared in our modern open-plan kitchen and served in a beautifully appointed and spacious dining area, transforming meals into an elegant shared experience where residents can socialise and connect. Our teams carefully monitor residents’ diets and adjust them proactively to support their clinical wellbeing and ensure they are consistently receiving the correct nutrition and all of their favourite meals.
5. You are Feeling Stressed or Burned Out
If you are your loved one’s primary carer and are finding it increasingly challenging to manage their care requirements, it may be time to consider professional full-time care. While living alone with increased care needs can be stressful for an older adult, acting as their caregiver can also put pressure on you, potentially leading to burnout, which could impact your ability to care for them long-term. Signs that you are becoming burned out include persistent fatigue, sudden changes in mood, depression and insomnia.
For many families, the solution lies in full-time nursing care, which not only expertly supports your loved one’s clinical and personal needs but also relieves the pressure for caregivers. You may consider a full-time residency or a shorter respite stay to help you recharge with the reassurance that your loved one is receiving professional and personalised care from qualified experts, while you regain independence and reduce your own stress. You can continue to visit your loved one regularly in their new residence, enjoying meaningful time together without the pressures of day-to-day caregiving. This allows families to focus on what matters most, sharing experiences, celebrating special moments and creating lasting memories, while having the reassurance that their loved one is receiving exceptional care and support.
Does Your Loved One Need Professional Care?
If you are experiencing burnout as a caregiver or have noticed changes in your loved one’s behaviour recently, including more frequent injuries or deviations from their routine and diet, then it may be time to gently raise the possibility of transitioning into full-time care.
Loveday is a luxury care provider seamlessly integrating expert clinical care with a sophisticated lifestyle in our residences, delivering comfort, stability and security for residences and reassurance, clarity and peace of mind for loved ones. Our lifestyle teams help families and friends remain closely involved in their loved one’s life, creating opportunities to connect in the elegant surroundings of our residences and maintain meaningful relationships.
To find out more about our multidisciplinary care plans, research-backed treatments and elevated lifestyle provided for our residents, call 020 4530 4700 to make an enquiry with our relationship partners.
