None of us ever want to think about our spouse becoming unwell and needing more care. We hope that we’ll age together, without any major health issues or signs of cognitive decline. We hope that we’ll always be able to enjoy an active and healthy life together in our own home. And if the worst should happen, and our health should decline, we hope that at the very least we go together, at the same time.
Unfortunately, this isn’t always, or even often, the case. Age gaps, different levels of health and fitness, unexpected conditions, accidents and injuries, and other issues mean that we all age at different rates, and one day you might find yourself wondering whether both your own and your spouse’s quality of life would be better if they moved into a nursing home or an independent living facility. Here are some of the signs that you need to be on the lookout for.
You Feel Burnt Out
Caring for an unwell spouse can be hard work, especially when you are also getting older. If you are starting to feel burnt out, stressed, tired and as though you can’t cope, a nursing home might be the best option.
You are Both Becoming More Isolated
Caring for a spouse is hard, and you might find that your social life starts to suffer. If your spouse’s health is declining, going out with them might be too difficult, and you might be scared to leave them alone. Moving them to a nursing home can give both of you a new lease on life. For example, Portside at Grande Dunes is a Portside nursing home with a fantastic community and your spouse will have increasing opportunities to socialize.
You Are Worried About Safety
If you are scared to leave your partner, even while you take a shower, because you are worried that they’ll get hurt or cause an accident, then you might need more help looking after them.
It’s Becoming Harder to Care for Your Home
Caring is a full-time job, which might mean that you start to struggle to keep up with chores. A slightly messy home occasionally is nothing to worry about, but over time it could become unsafe or unhygienic. If you can no longer cope, moving your spouse into a nursing home might be the best thing to do.
Their Hygiene is Becoming a Concern
One element of caring for a loved one that most people struggle with is personal hygiene. If they are no longer able to perform the basics of self-care, then you might need some extra help.
You Can Physically Manage Their Care
Of course, if your partner is larger than you, or your muscles are starting to weaken, at some point you might find that you physically cannot manage their care. In a nursing home, they’ll have plenty of help and you won’t need to worry about injuring yourself.
Moving your life partner away from your home can be unbearable. But remember, it could improve the quality of life for both of you, and even improve your relationship once you can be their spouse again, instead of just their carer.