Today’s nursing homes, now called long-term care facilities, have come a long way in the past 40 years.
Even with new advancements in long-term care, I know scarcely anyone eager to live in one of these facilities. Long-term care facilities provide care and feeding 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They also tend to the needs of those who have lost control of their bowels or bladder, providing a type of care that may not be possible in a private residence. Nursing homes will never be like home, but they provide an important service to those who require total care.
To keep out of one of these facilities, a person must live in an environment where he is safe from harm, particularly falls, which might cause broken bones or other injuries. Falls are probably the most common injury in older people. Adequate vision, stability, and strength are necessary to prevent these injuries. Some diseases also can cause falls due to weakness. Many times, medication may help control some of these diseases. However, medication or medication interactions may actually cause falls. Working with a physician and a pharmacist will help avert many of these problems. Improper footwear is another cause of loss of stability, and a change of shoes could help prevent falls. Some devices, such as a cane, walker, or wheelchair may help. Don’t be embarrassed to use a device to improve your stability.
Several other conditions cause deterioration and can lead to long-term care. These include diabetes mellitus (type 2 diabetes), Parkinson’s disease, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, peripheral arterial disease, arthritis, and even dizziness. With early prevention and good control of these problems, it may be possible for a person to avoid moving to a long-term care facility. Improvement in the control of these conditions will also improve quality of life.
Changes in mental or cognitive function also may lead to residence in a long-term care facility. These conditions are called either a delirium or one of many types of dementia. The most common dementia today is Alzheimer’s disease. In these deteriorating conditions, the person loses the ability to care for herself; and caregivers may become strained to the point that long-term care becomes necessary. Continuous exercise of the brain and good physical health may allow people to stay out of such a facility. Physical exercise helps brain function.
Staying out of a long-term care facility requires a lot of prevention and excellent medical care. Even good spiritual condition is necessary to keep one’s physical environment in balance.
Henry Petry, DO, FACOFP, a board-certified geriatrician, sees patients at Freeman Center for Geriatric Medicine, 931 East 32nd Street, Joplin, Missouri. A Fellow of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, Dr. Petry also serves as medical director for Spring River Christian Village.
