Tips For Nursing Home Visits

Everybody looks forward to company – especially nursing home residents.

Your visits make a pleasant break in the day and help your relative feel connected with family and life in the community. Regular visitors can make sure their relative is getting proper care and resolve staff or roommate concerns. Visits are also a great time to get to know the staff and let them get to know you.

It's often hard to see a parent, friend or relative in unfamiliar surroundings and accept that he or she requires more care than you can provide. Yet many families discover that they can enjoy being with their relative much more when they aren't burdened by daily caregiving responsibilities.

PLAN FOR A PLEASANT VISIT

Visits don't have to be long to be enjoyable. A half-hour with your family member won't be tiring for either of you. Make time to get to know staff members who care for your relative – especially nursing assistants who provide daily care to residents and are often first to spot early signs of illness. Be sure to greet your relative's roommate and other residents. Ask the facility for a list of activities you can attend with your relative.

Suggestions for other pleasant pastimes:

• Share news and stories about the family, pets, the neighborhood.
• Bring favorite foods from home and have a picnic.
• Tour the nursing home grounds – in a wheelchair or on foot.
• Watch videos of a family celebrations or favorite old movies.
• Brush your relative's hair; give a manicure or gentle hand massage.
• Read aloud or look at magazines together.
• Listen to music.
• Sit quietly and enjoy each other's company.

WHEN IT'S TIME TO LEAVE

Some residents spend the whole visit complaining about the food, staff or their roommate. Or they ask you to take them home and cry or get upset when you tell them that's not possible. Explain to your relative that can't get the kind of care he or she needs at home and the nursing home is the best place to be. If your relative is very confused just say that he or she can come home when the doctor says it's okay. Always reassure your relative that you'll be back again soon.