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- $Unique_ID{BRK00312}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Guidelines for a Nursing Home Visit}
- $Subject{aging age aged elder elderly geratic nursing home convalescent center
- Community Social lifestyle lifestyles alert attentive overdoing distress
- hidden meanings attention nonverbal clues Encouragement reassurance}
- $Volume{Q-23, T-23}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
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- Guidelines for a Nursing Home Visit
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- QUESTION: This will be our first visit to a beloved and alert aunt in her new
- surroundings, a nursing home. It is also our first experience with such
- visits, and we are all feeling just a bit nervous about what should or should
- not be said or done. Can you provide us with some guidelines?
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- ANSWER: While there are a few small details that may help, the best advice I
- can offer you is to be yourselves, and allow your aunt to be herself, as she
- enjoys the brightness that your visit will provide. This is her new home, and
- she will proudly introduce you to her new friends. Allow her to be the
- hostess she was in former surroundings, and take her up on the tour she will
- most certainly offer you. But be alert and attentive, on the watch for signs
- of overdoing it a bit, or of distress. Listen carefully to what she says, as
- well as how she says it, and answer her directly and honestly, just as in the
- old days. You may want to call the home before your visit to be sure that you
- will arrive at a time that will not disrupt normal schedules and activities.
- If your gifts are to include food, be sure they are permitted on special
- diets, but bring a small luxury that may not be routinely provided. Small
- living plants make fine gifts, and may help to brighten a room. Most visits
- are mainly conversation, remembering good old times, and will provide your
- aunt with some moments of pleasant remembering, and an attentive and loving
- audience. Listen carefully for hidden meanings, and pay attention to
- nonverbal clues that may indicate the state of your aunt's well being.
- Encouragement and reassurance is an important function of your visit, so touch
- frequently. Be sure the tone of your voice conveys your love and concern. If
- you can find some treasured photos from previous meetings, take them with you,
- in a frame perhaps, as a souvenir of your visit. If other family members are
- responsible for your aunt's welfare, call and share your experiences and
- observations with them. Then enjoy the warmth provided by your good deeds.
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- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
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