What are Nursing Homes

What are nursing homes?’ is a commonly asked question, especially by those that require information that relates to someone close to them needing care. Nursing homes have a lot of benefits to residents and to family and friends who can still visit residents on regular occasions. This article will look at some of the benefits of nursing homes and what they provide.

Nursing homes

The first thing people want to know when finding out the answers to `what are nursing homes?’ is the purpose that a nursing home serves. A nursing home is basically summed up as a place that cares for people who can no longer care for themselves and require 24 care and assistance.

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This could be for a number of reasons, maybe someone requires round the clock care because of accident or injury or through a sudden illness. The most common reason for the use of nursing homes however is for the elderly affects by aspects of dementia which causes memory loss, confusion and communication problems.

Care

What are nursing homes and what care do they provide?’ is another popular query. The answer is that nursing homes provide care to anyone that requires 24 hour assistance. The common assumption is that nursing homes care only for the elderly; this is not true as care is provided to children and adults alike. Nursing homes can care for people with a whole host of conditions and disabilities such as:

Learning and physical disabilities
Cancer patients
Multiple Sclerosis
Motor Neurone disease
Mental Health issues
Parkinson`s disease
Huntington`s disease
Autism and Asperger`s
Acquired brain injuries

All residents are provided with one to one care and are helped by qualified nurses to support them in living as independently as possible within the home. Nurses can also help with the day to day living necessities should patients need it; this can be help with things including:

Getting dressed
Eating and drinking
Oral care, such as the brushing of teeth
Washing and bathing
Grooming, such as shaving
Nail care
Continence, including help with toileting and the changing of bedding.

Care is also provided through counselling and support classes and in the case of dementia patients, reminiscence therapy. This therapy can help with behavioural aspects and psychological support.

What is in the homes?

Another query when looking for `what are nursing homes?’ is about what is in the nursing homes, homes differ in set out from place to place. Some nursing homes are designed to be run more like hospitals whist some are catered to have a more relaxed, community feel. Residents are each given their own rooms where they can store personal belongings from home. The day rooms give nursing homes a bright and fun social atmosphere and residents can engage with each other and with staff and partake in various activities, watch television and listen to music. Secured gardens give residents the freedom to relax outdoors and look after plants and flowers, some homes allow residents the freedom to access kitchen facilities.