Importance of Resident Visitations in Nursing Homes

The decision to place a relative in a nursing home can be difficult for everyone involved. Visitation reassures a nursing home resident that she is loved and cared for.

Significance

• In an article on nursing home visitation on its website, Ohio State University notes that visiting nursing home residents reminds them that they are still important members of the family, even though they are not living at home.

Features

• Ohio State University offers several tips for nursing home visitation on its website. Plan visits in advance so that your loved one maintains control over her schedule. Speak to older adults as adults and not children in order to foster self-esteem and independence. Be attentive and affectionate -- many nursing home residents do not experience touch except when they are being bathed or dressed.

Benefits

• The Legacy Project observes that visiting nursing home residents is beneficial to seniors because it helps them maintain their dignity and connection to the outside world. These connections can even be enjoyed by residents who have memory loss or cognitive limitations, notes The Legacy Project.