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Why Do People Decline in Nursing Homes?
Date Updated: July 26, 2024
Written by:
Rachel Lustbader is a writer and editor with a background in healthcare and technology. Her work has been published on websites including HealthCare.com, BiteSizeBio.com, BetterHelp.com, Caring.com, and PayingforSeniorCare.com. She studied health science and public health at Boston University.
Both of Rachel’s grandmothers had very positive experiences in senior living communities, and Rachel saw firsthand the impact that kind, committed caregivers and community managers can have on seniors’ and their family members’ lives. With her work at Caring, Rachel hopes to help other families find communities, caregivers, and at-home products that benefit elderly loved ones and make life less stressful for family caregivers
Some people decline when they move into a nursing home because of the change in their routine and feelings of isolation. Seniors who were once active and healthy may become unwell and show signs of cognitive decline if they become bedbound and experience less social stimulation as a result. Many seniors who move into nursing homes do so because they have multiple health issues, meaning they require a higher level of care and are at greater risk of experiencing complications.
Some seniors prefer to remain in their own homes or to try to stay more active and live in an assisted living facility instead of a nursing home. This can be an option for seniors who require some skilled nursing care but don’t need to be looked after 24 hours a day. For those who require round-the-clock nursing care, placement in a nursing facility makes sense.
Isolation Can Be a Serious Issue
Falls and Loss of Mobility Must Be Taken Seriously
Another thing that can cause issues for some residents is loss of mobility. Seniors who suffer a fall or who become less mobile after surgery are at increased risk of further injury as their loss of mobility makes them more likely to fall again in the future. Nursing homes use physical therapy and gentle exercise programs, such as chair yoga, to help seniors stay as mobile and active as their health permits.
Not all seniors who move into a nursing home stay there for a long time. Some spend a short period in a nursing home to recuperate following a stay in a hospital and then return to their homes once their strength and mobility are restored.