The Pros and Cons of Nursing Home Care: Resolution of Nursing Home Care Fears of Patients

There are many pros and cons of nursing home care, but some of the fears of patients are not about nursing home care, at all. In fact, patients often express their fears about nursing home care inappropriately or may not express them.

Consider some of the following case studies revealing other causes for concern regarding patients needing nursing home care.

Case Study #1: Loneliness and dying alone

“Please don’t put me into a nursing home,” Matthew, an elderly man begs his daughter, Sandra. “I want to be with our family.”

Matthew’s concern is not about his nursing home care. He knows that he has cancer, will probably live about six months and he is worried about dying alone. Sandra knows her father’s long term nursing care is already beyond her immediate, nursing care capabilities and has him admitted to a nursing home.

Later that day, she visits him.

“I can’t believe it!” Matthew tells her, excitedly. “Darren, my best friend from high school, is in the next room. We are going to have dinner together, every evening.”

Note that Matthew expresses no verbal concern about his nursing home care or his fear of dying alone. Inwardly, he knows that in the nursing home, there are qualified, professional health care givers who will take good care of him. Matthew also realizes there are other patients he knows in the nursing home, because he has visited there previously.   

Just one of the things that patients are afraid of is being alone, particularly when they are dying, but with the numbers of patients and employees in most nursing homes, a patient is seldom completely alone. Matthew’s real fear, expressed not in terms of nursing home care, but of dying alone, has resolution when he finds a significant other.

Case study # 2: Lack of nursing care

Sometimes, patients can openly express their fears about the cons of nursing home care, but not always. 

Isabel, an arthritic woman in her late eighties, expresses her fear in terms of actual nursing home care.

“I don’t want to go into a nursing home,” Isabel confides in her private duty nurse, Bethany. “I will not be able to get the nursing care I need.”

Later that afternoon, Bethany shows up in her private room.

“I spoke with your family about your nursing care and they want me to continue looking after you here. I will make certain that the other nurses know what to do for you when I am off. Here, you will be able to go to rehab and social activities, as well.”

What are patients more afraid of with respect to admission to nursing homes?

Is it loneliness, or their nursing home care?

Nursing care in nursing homes is on many different levels, depending upon the needs of individual patients. Thus, many fears, expressed or not expressed as cons, are unfounded or can be resolved.

Nursing homes are often high class, luxury facilities, well known for their high standards of quality nursing care that exceed the level of nursing care many patients receive in their own homes. Of course, this is not always the case and they may be apprehensive about admission to unfamiliar, nursing home settings. They may have to contend with the unexpected. Fear of the unknown and change, is difficult for many patients. Patient reassurance is important both in terms of the fear of loneliness and the quality of nursing home care for patients.

Case study # 3: Isolation

Many nursing homes are located in beautiful, country locations. They appear to be isolated to anyone who has never visited patients residing there. 

“No one will ever be able to come to see me,” says Tiffany, a seventy-five year old, unstable diabetic, who uses a walker, but is still relatively mobile. “This nursing home is too far out of the city. I won’t be able to get into the city to see my friends either.”

After a few hours, Tiffany learns there are buses scheduled every half hour, to and from the nursing home. Her fears are needless. In fact, the transportation to and from the nursing home is far more reliable than any transportation she has had in the past. She has always had to count on rides from neighbors. Now, she can remain independent and socially active, while having her health care needs met.

“My nurses know exactly what to do with my blood sugar levels and insulin.”

Mobility, not nursing care, was her major concern.

“I can go anywhere I want on the bus, even to Christmas concerts for my grandchildren.”

Mobility is only one concern of prospective nursing care patients, but there are others. 

Case study # 4: Confusion and disorientation

Bert, an elderly Alzheimer’s patient suggests, “My diet keep me healthy, but I could get lost trying to find my kitchen. I don’t know this place.”

Note that Bert’s fear and insecurity with respect to nursing home care is not what he is worried about at all. He is at least partly aware that when he becomes disoriented and confused, he tends to get lost easily.

Bert soon discovers that the dining room is located several doors from his room and he relaxes, knowing that if he does get lost, the nurses will help him find his way to the dining room. What he does not realize is that he is on a locked ward and he cannot get lost. This is beneficial in terms of his nursing care in the latter stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

In conclusion, one must suggest that what many patients express as the cons of nursing home care, are not well founded. Nursing home personnel are aware of the needs of patients in terms of nursing care related to a multiplicity of other concerns and will do their best to meet their patient’s needs.

While patients often express cons of nursing homes, including variable cost factors, most patients who require nursing home care, know they need the kind of care these facilities can and will provide for them. They are also aware that they will more than likely receive better care than if they stayed in their own homes.

Many times the pros of nursing home care can outweigh the cons.