Visits to nursing homes for the elderly are an extremely important aspect of social care. Contact with relatives has a positive effect on the residents’ well-being, as it strengthens their mental and emotional health. In Poland, nursing homes are increasingly seen not only as places where seniors receive medical support and daily care but also as spaces for building relationships with family, friends, and the local community. In this article, we will look at the benefits of visiting nursing homes, the challenges involved, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed their operations.
For many residents of nursing homes, contact with their relatives is one of the most important aspects of life. Visits can help combat the loneliness that often accompanies older people, especially those who have had to leave their previous place of residence. The closeness of family reminds them of belonging, love, and emotional support. Even short meetings can improve mood, lift spirits, and boost self-esteem.
Seniors who receive regular visits often show a greater willingness to engage in various activities organized by the facility, which in turn positively affects their physical and mental health. This strengthens their social ties and helps them maintain contact with life outside the nursing home walls.
Despite the numerous benefits of visits, there are also a number of challenges in organizing and carrying them out. One of the main problems that nursing homes face is the need to ensure the safety and health protection of residents. Older people are particularly susceptible to various infections, which means that visiting rules must be strictly followed.
Another issue is logistics. Not all seniors have relatives living nearby, and organizing regular visits can be difficult, especially for those working or living abroad. Therefore, it is important that nursing homes support the possibility of contact with relatives through modern technologies such as video conferencing, which became a popular solution during the pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic affected all aspects of social life, and nursing homes were no exception. At the beginning of the pandemic, many nursing homes in Poland decided to completely restrict visits to protect their residents from infection. While these measures were necessary from a health protection perspective, they also had a negative impact on the mental well-being of many seniors, who were isolated from their loved ones for a long time.
Over time, as the epidemiological situation allowed for the gradual easing of restrictions, strict sanitary and epidemiological rules for visits were introduced. These included mandatory COVID-19 tests, wearing masks, limiting the number of visitors, and maintaining social distancing. In many cases, visits took place outdoors or in designated areas with protective barriers to minimize the risk of infection.
During the pandemic, there was an increase in the use of digital technologies in nursing homes. Many seniors who had not previously used such solutions began to regularly talk to their families via video calls. Although this does not replace direct contact, it allowed relationships to be maintained and prevented complete isolation.
Currently, more and more nursing homes are investing in modern communication tools, allowing their residents not only to stay in touch with loved ones but also to participate in online events, which can be a valuable addition to traditional visits.
The pandemic has taught us how important a flexible approach to elderly care is. In the future, nursing homes in Poland may focus even more on enabling contact with relatives not only through visits but also through the use of technology. It will also be important to introduce additional measures that allow for safe visits even in crisis situations.
An additional step could be the introduction of programs supporting regular visits, especially for seniors who have no relatives or live far away. These could be volunteer programs where people from the local community spend time with nursing home residents, providing them with companionship and emotional support.
Visits to nursing homes in Poland play a key role in improving the quality of life for seniors. Through contact with relatives, older people feel less lonely and more engaged in social life. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new challenges but also demonstrated how important a flexible approach and the use of new technologies are. In the future, efforts should be made to provide even more support for nursing homes to ensure that seniors remain in constant contact with their loved ones, regardless of the circumstances.
September 10, 2024