If you have a family member or loved one in a nursing home / rehab or assisted living facility, you may need to watch them A LITTLE CLOSER during the holidays.
Watch the resident for depression, sadness and as a result, nutrition etc. If someone leaves and comes home with you for the day – make sure you tell the nurses how they ate. If they had a great appetite, important to note that. If they usually enjoy your cooking, but didn’t eat much – that is very significant in their treatment and healthcare. Make sure the nurse and physician is made aware. Any pain? trouble walking? This is a great chance to focus on that person and the treatment they are receiving at the facility.
It is also important to watch your loved one in the facility. Nurses and staff want to be home with their families during the holidays as well, so it is less likely the number of staff will be high. Often temps are called in – so you may have some new nurses that don’t know about routines, medicine procedures etc. Be diligent, and make sure that the level of care continues even during the Holidays.
So while you are enjoying all the blessings that come with a Holiday Season, don’t forget to care for your loved ones in treatment facilities. They need your love, attention and care, now more than ever.