Sometimes you just need a little helping hand
TAKING the decision to look at nursing homes or care options is never an easy one. While we all strive to hang onto every bit of independence we can, sometimes you just need a little helping hand. Reaching out for that helping hand can often be a difficult thing to do.
Equally it can be hard for family members to take the step to seek help for a loved one, be it a parent, aunt or uncle, or any elderly person in your life. It’s never an easy conversation to have. Helping another person choose a nursing home or make other long term care choices can be difficult. Your support is important and can help your loved one adjust to getting a new service or living in a new setting like a nursing home. Be sure to include the person you are helping when making decisions whenever possible and always make decisions with their needs and preferences in mind.
Thankfully in this day and age, there are a whole multitude of options available. We are constantly being told that Ireland has an ‘ageing population’. This means that there is a growing need for care options as people reach their twilight years.
Co Wexford has seen massive growth in top quality nursing homes and retirement communities that may even provide you with a new lease of life. With some outstanding facilities on offer and a real sense of community around many of these nursing home, for some the companionship and social aspect, as well as the top quality care on offer from highly trained staff, can often provide a favoured alternative to remaining at home alone.
However, a nursing home won’t be for everyone and there are other options available. There are a number of excellent community services and home care which can work for your loved one, giving them the benefits of the care they require, but in the relative comfort of their own home.
If a nursing home or retirement community is the right choice for you or your loved one, then it’s worth taking a look at some of the wonderful facilities that we are lucky enough to have on our doorstep. Do your homework. It’s a major step and it’s worth spending the time browsing what’s on offer and visiting different locations before making what is a big decision.
A visit can really help with making your mind up. It gives you the chance to see and hear from residents and see the kind of activities that they enjoy and their daily routine, meet the staff and see exactly the level of care that they offer. Wexford’s nursing homes have some of the most highly qualified, diligent and caring staff members you could hope to find and they’ll be only too happy to answer the many questions you and your loved ones are sure to have.
On that note, don’t be afraid to ask questions. Ask the staff to explain anything you don’t quite understand and ask who to call if you have any further questions or issues to address.
The main point to make is that we all need a helping hand sometimes. It’s not always possible, no matter how much we may want to, for us to provide the level of care that a loved one might require. In this instance, there are plenty of options out there and, far from being an admission of defeat, taking the decision on a nursing home or home care can help your loved one to make the absolute best of their remaining years.