Considering Elderly Health Care in Nursing Home Decisions – Advice from South Carolina Medical Malpractice Lawyer
The health care needs of elderly family members are dictated by their physical and mental functioning. The level of functioning of older relatives can determine if their health care requires admission into a nursing home, life in an assisted-care facility, moving in with a relative, or a continued independent life. Greenville nursing home neglect attorney Andy Arnold has provided the following information to help you when trying to determine if your elderly relative has the physical and mental capabilities to live alone, in a nursing home, or somewhere in between.
Physical and Mental Functioning
The medical conditions of a person naturally have an impact on their ability to function physically and mentally. Although a physician can throw some light on limitations of mental functioning, some good old fashion common sense can tell you what you need to know about someone's physical abilities. Just watch. What tasks can be performed safely? What activities does she have trouble with? Does she take her medication as prescribed? How much does she eat? How much does she sleep?
Take for an example someone who is already dependent on the family for care is diagnosed with Alzheimer's or other form of dementia. First, if this person is mobile, then concerns about wandering if left alone may dictate twenty-four hour supervision. If the person is immobile, then the notion of her taking care of herself in light of impaired short-term memory does not look good. Taking too much medication or not enough are always possibilities with someone who has dementia.
Incontinence (insufficient bladder and/or bowel control) is also a condition that requires full-time care. Most of the time incontinence is coupled with being bed ridden. A person who is incontinent needs to be changed rather frequently.
Many people cannot feed themselves. Weight loss is a clear sign that someone needs assistance eating. And those folks who take prescription medicine can experience a decline in physical and mental functioning. Many times medications can make a person sleep longer than is healthy. Some drugs dampen appetite or increase the intensity of other drugs.
Talk to the doctor about mental functioning and a prognosis for the next twelve months. And pay attention to the actual limitations on functioning caused by her medical conditions. And ask yourself, can she safely do every task necessary to maintain maximum health? If the answer is "no," long-term care is a possibility.
Learn More about Elderly Health Care and Nursing Homes
The health and well being of elderly relatives is foremost in your mind. Use the links to the right to read the other sections of this nursing home guide for more information on health care, affording a nursing home, how to spot nursing home abuse, and other information. If you fear that your elderly relative's health and care are being compromised at a nursing home, contact the Law Office of W. Andrew Arnold for help. Andy Arnold offers free initial consultations for nursing home neglect cases. Your loved ones health care is too important – don't wait. Call 864-242-4800 to schedule your consultation.