When an elderly individual has issues with breathing, the first reaction is often to get them under the care and guidance of a skilled nursing facility. These organizations certainly have the tools and the resources to ensure that your loved one stays as safe and healthy as possible. They also have staff that is trained to act quickly and intelligently in emergency situations. While these are comforting safeguards to have in place, many individuals with minor breathing difficulties do not actually require all of the amenities that a nursing home provides. In these instances, using the services of a nursing home may not be the best choice available to you and your family.
This is something that needs to be addressed on a case by case basis, of course. However, many breathing issues are linked to physical fitness. Those that are obese tend to have much more difficulty than those that are at a healthy weight. Addressing weight problems early on can help prevent many of the issues that get worse as people age. It can also help prevent other obesity related issues, such as diabetes and heart disease.
If these factors have already been addressed, or if they are not the cause of the breathing issue, the nursing home may still be too intensive of a type of care. In-home care can provide for many different types of needs, as long as you use the right service. If your loved one really wants to stay out of a nursing home and they don’t have severe needs in other areas, then check with the reputable senior care and in-home care services near you to see if they have the resources to help your mom or dad out. Professional caregivers need to have emergency training, and they can be a good resource to have on your side while you are away at work during the day. Not all care services will have the resources to help all elderly individuals with breathing trouble, but some do. If this is desired, then it is worth spending some time looking into.
Other issues, like COPD, stroke recovery, and chronic heart disease, all need to be approached on an individualized level. It you or a loved one suffer from a more severe medical issue, then a nursing home could be the best choice. These really need to be under the review of a physician, so don’t feel like you need to make these tough choices all by yourself. Enlist the services of a professional so that your family members can get the right care and assistance for their specific needs.
Before you do anything, it is important to consult with a doctor. They may know of complications that could arise when attempting to help a loved one that you may not be aware of. Even something simple like an exercise routine may exacerbate health concerns. It is always better to be too cautious than not cautious enough, so consult with a medical expert before you take any steps toward helping an elderly loved one.
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