For many families, the decision to move an elderly parent into a nursing home can be a difficult one to make, especially when they don’t want to miss out on spending precious quality time together. Ultimately, moving an elderly loved one into aged care is the right one to make so that they will receive the professional and round-the-clock care they need.
Once the arrangements have been made, and the parent is moved in and has settled in nicely, families then need to think about planning their nursing home visits. In this guide, we’ll delve into everything you need to know about visiting elderly parents in a nursing home. From how often to visit a parent in a nursing home, to the emotional, social, and practical aspects of these visits, providing insights and tips to help you navigate this new chapter.
How Often Do You Visit a Parent in a Nursing Home?
When it comes to how often should you visit elderly parents, there’s really no universal answer. For families, their aged care home visits may depend on balancing the demands of their work and personal life, as well as how far away they live from the facility.
How often you can visit your parent in a nursing home might be more feasible multiple times a week or every weekend. While for other families they may only be able to visit once a month or sometimes less than that. Ideally, a good rule of thumb is to visit your mum or dad as often as you can, or you can find a balance that works for both of you. If you have siblings or your own children, you could even suggest a schedule of some sorts with your different family members so that your parent can enjoy regular visits.
The Benefits of Visiting Elderly Parents Regularly
Emotional Support & Reassurance:
As your loved one navigates the challenges that come with ageing, nursing home visits (even brief visits) will have a significant impact on their life by providing the emotional comfort and support they need. Visiting parents at their nursing home will help to reduce some of the anxiety they may be feeling, it will provide them with the security that comes from being around their family, and reassures them that they are loved and valued.
Mental Stimulation:
Having regular catch ups with elderly parents is an easy way to keep their minds active. As people age, their cognitive abilities and memory often start to decline. Mental stimulation through socialising and chatting with seniors helps them to not just stay connected with their family, it helps to maintain their cognitive function, and can also actually reduce the risk of decline.
Monitoring Health:
Frequent visits allow you to keep an eye on any changes in your parent’s health or behaviour. It means that you can stay involved in the duty of care for your elderly parent;
you’ll be able to ensure that they’re receiving the daily care that they need, and you can make sure any issues or concerns can be promptly addressed with the nursing home staff.
Maintains Family Traditions & Strengthens Bonds:
Spending quality time together and keeping them involved in all your family celebrations and life’s special moments is a way to continue the relationship that you have, while also creating lasting memories.
Boosting Morale:
Seeing familiar faces and engaging in meaningful conversations can boost their mood and overall outlook on life. They’ll feel more positive about the changes they are going through, their days will be more enjoyable and fulfilling, and every planned visit will give them something wonderful that they can look forward to.
Encouraging Social Interaction:
Not only do regular visits grant elderly parents time devoted to their relatives, you’ll be able to encourage them to make new friends and be open to being more social with other residents by participating in Aurrum’s lifestyle program. There may even be some fun activities or events that you can enjoy with your mum or dad during your visit!
How To Make The Most Out of Your Visits
As we’ve already touched on, it might not always be possible to visit your elderly parents as often as you’d like, but there are still many ways that you can make the most of visiting their nursing home.
10 Tips For A More Meaningful & Successful Nursing Home Visits
Plan Activities:
Before your visit, plan engaging activities that you know your parent will enjoy.
- The activity could be playing a board game, watching their favourite movie, going for a stroll, or taking them out for the day.
- Having a plan will help you to make the most of your time together, and your loved one will get a kick out of the fact you’ve planned something exciting or enjoyable to do with them.
Bring Photos and Mementos:
- Share recent family photos or bring cherished mementos from home.
- These items can give you all lots of things to talk about, they can bring back happy memories for your loved one, it will help your parent feel connected to your family life, and they’ll appreciate such a simple yet thoughtful gesture.
Speak Respectfully and Listen Actively:
- Don’t talk down to them, talk over them, or talk around them like they aren’t there.
- Ask questions or get them to talk about their life, you may be rewarded with stories you’ve not been told before or even some juicy family history.
- Take the time to really listen to your parent’s stories and concerns in a way that’s patient and respectful, even if they are repeating themselves.
- Showing genuine interest in their life and experiences can make them feel valued, heard, understood, and it can help them to overcome any negative feelings like loneliness or depression.
- When chatting about your life, be open to their experience and wisdom; they might surprise you with their practical advice.
Offer to Help with Tasks:
- Before you plan your visit, ask if there is anything they need or would like you to bring when you visit.
- Offer to assist with any small tasks or personal errands.
- Whatever it may be, your help can make a big difference in their daily life.
Include children:
- If possible, why not bring the grandchildren or great-grandchildren along for a visit. The days when we have pet therapy at Aurrum Aged Care are always a big hit with the young and old.
- The youthful energy and presence of children can be incredibly uplifting for elderly family members, and can help to enhance their mood and make them feel happier, encourages physical activity, and provides an opportunity for an elderly loved one to learn new things.
- Spending time with older people also benefits children by laying the foundations for valuable life skills, teaches them about history, and passes on invaluable knowledge and wisdom.
Share Meals:
- For many families sharing a meal is a big part of their lives, and you shouldn’t change that just because they’ve gone into aged care.
- You could bring their favourite homemade dish that you can eat together or surprise them with their favourite treat.
- Take them out to a cafe or restaurant, or pack a picnic that you can enjoy in a lovely spot.
Celebrate Special Occasions:
- Continue to mark family celebrations like birthdays and anniversaries with your elderly loved one.
- This could include bringing the celebration to them at their nursing home, or organising an outing so they can enjoy some time away with all the family.
- If they are unable to leave their nursing home during holidays like Christmas, plan some time in the day to spend with them.
Stay Positive:
- Asking open-ended questions as a nice way to start a conversation.
- Try and focus on positive observations or uplifting topics during your visit, such as commenting on their outfit, how lovely their nursing home is, or how nice the weather has been.
- While it’s important to address any serious matters, maintaining a cheerful and positive attitude will help to improve their mood.’
- Offering to read something to them such as a book or article, or choose another type of activity that is of interest to them and will make them happy.
Engage in Physical Activities:
- If your parent is able, why not do some light physical activities together, like gentle exercises, gardening, or going for a walk.
- Physical activities that are beneficial for their physical health and wellbeing, or provide an opportunity for you to bond while doing them is ideal.
Be Consistent:
- Try to establish a regular visiting schedule, even if it’s not frequent.
- Consistency can provide your parent with something to look forward to and help maintain a strong, supportive relationship.
- Involve other family members in the schedule so that your mum or dad can enjoy a range of visitors, and won’t go too long without company.
Make Every Visit Count
While providing the necessary care for ageing parents can be challenging, and how often should you visit your elderly parents is something you need to think about, at the end of the day it’s the quality of the time and moments of connection that you spend together that truly counts.
Aurrum Aged Care is always here to help your mum or dad to live the life that they want, so for advice on holistic aged care or to arrange a visit with us, simply get in touch with our dedicated team today.