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The idea of visiting loved ones in nursing homes can bring out a myriad of emotions ranging from excitement to guilt or anticipation to nervousness. While it brings out different emotions in various people, bringing a gift can often help relieve the tension and encourage positive feelings. Flowers are symbolic and often make people feel special.
Most nursing homes allow you to bring flowers, except when visiting a loved one in an intensive care unit. While there are no rules against bringing flowers to common areas in nursing homes, it helps to choose species that are less likely to trigger allergic reactions in sensitive residents.
In the rest of the article, I will share the culture of bringing flowers to nursing homes and the possible risks of the practice. I’ll also recommend some flowers that are generally safe and have pleasant meanings. If you need tips for choosing the best flowers for your next visit to the nursing home, read on!
The Culture and Risks of Bringing Flowers to Nursing Homes
For a long time, flowers have been one of the most popular gifts people bring when visiting their loved ones in nursing homes. However, over the years, guests have turned to more practical gifts, such as blankets and scarves, to make the residents feel more comfortable.
Nonetheless, many people still love to bring flowers in addition to practical gifts. It’s pretty easy to understand since flowers can make most people feel warm inside.
As a society, we’ve grown to believe that giving flowers to someone can make them feel special. Flowers are given on special occasions, including:
- Celebration of an achievement
- Expression of love or affection
- Expression of sympathy
- Well wishes for good health or good luck
Suppose you’ve visited a hospital and were turned away because you brought cut or potted flowers. In that case, you may wonder if nursing homes will have the same issue.
Cut and potted flowers bring several health risks to hospital patients. For instance, they may contain harmful microorganisms, such as bacteria or molds, that can contaminate the air and infect immunocompromised patients.
The same thing can happen in a nursing home. Most residents in nursing homes may have physical or mental conditions that prevent them from paying much attention to their hygiene, making them more susceptible to infections.
Introducing harmful microbes to an area full of people oblivious to the risks can be pretty dangerous.
Moreover, elderly people are highly likely to develop pollen allergies (in addition to other common hypersensitivity issues) due to age-related decline in health. Some residents may also have respiratory diseases that make them less tolerant of flowers.
Therefore, even if your elderly parent doesn’t have allergic reactions to flowers, it’s best to be careful when bringing flowers to nursing homes, as other residents might be at risk.
You can also ask the nursing home directly by calling them to confirm if it’s okay to bring flowers as a gift for one of their residents. You can also ask them for any restrictions and house rules to ensure a smooth and pleasant visit.
Best Flowers To Bring to Nursing Homes
If you’ve confirmed that your elderly parent’s nursing home allows you to bring flowers, you can choose hypoallergenic flowers – unless your parent prefers a specific flower that may or may not be hypoallergenic.
Here are some allergy-friendly and beautiful flowers that you can bring to nursing homes:
Rose
Roses are arguably among the most popular flowers given as gifts.
While they’re often associated with romantic undertones, roses come in various colors and hues, each representing a specific meaning. Unscented pink roses are the best for elderly parents because they symbolize gratitude and sincerity.
Begonias
Begonias are also allergy-friendly and popular flowers given as a “thank you” gift, making them perfect for your elderly parents. Potted begonias are also low-maintenance plants that you can place next to your parent’s room window in the nursing home.
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas have beautiful globular blooms that make excellent pieces in a bouquet or a vase. However, they might not do well in pots and may require more care than your parents or the nursing home staff can provide.
Like roses and begonias, hydrangeas also symbolize gratitude. They also mean peace and grace, which are perfect for your elderly parents.
Tips for Bringing Flowers to a Nursing Home
Whether you’re bringing cut flowers or potted ones to a nursing home, it helps to know these simple tips and hacks for safety and efficiency.
Cut Flowers
You can buy a few stems or a bouquet and place them on the bedside table in a vase. If you are cutting flowers from your own garden, cut the stem using sterile garden shears at a 45° angle. This reduces the risks of microbial infections.
Remove the bottom leaves and ensure no leaves are touching the water to prevent molds. It’s also important to replace the water every 2-3 days and dispose of the plant after a week. If you can’t come back, you can politely ask a nursing home staff to do so.
Potted Flowers
Potted flowers can last longer but require adequate care. The most important thing is to get your flowers and potting soil from a reputable source to avoid the risk of contamination.
It’s good mental and physical exercise for your elderly parent to care for the plant, but you can’t dismiss the fact that they might forget to do so.
Choose drought-tolerant flowers or install a wick-watering system to keep your plants hydrated without burdening your elderly parent. Be sure the water reservoir is well-covered to prevent mosquitoes or other insects from getting to the water.
Placing the plant next to a window will also give your parent an excellent view while allowing the plant to bask in the sun.
Can I Bring Plastic Flowers to Nursing Homes?
Plastic flowers are an excellent alternative as a gift for an elderly parent in a nursing home. They’re great for aesthetics but don’t require maintenance or trigger allergic reactions. They are also unlikely to carry harmful microbes that can cause diseases.
However, plastic flowers can collect dust over time, especially when not cleaned regularly. This can present another health risk. Moreover, some people are sensitive to purchasing plastic items due to their potential danger to the environment.
If you decide to bring plastic flowers to a nursing home, remember to clean them every time you visit to prevent them from collecting too much dirt.
When visiting your elderly parents in a nursing home, you should be careful about what you tell them. Read my other guide to learn what to say to not trigger bad feelings. Things to Say When Visiting Someone in a Nursing Home
Final Thoughts
Flowers are beautiful gifts that can brighten a receiver’s day. However, scientific evidence proves that flowers may not be ideal and safe gifts when visiting loved ones in clinical settings like a hospital, and some nursing homes have adopted the same precautions.
When planning a visit to a nursing home, it’s best to call them in advance and ask them if you can bring flowers. If possible, choose hypoallergenic flowers to protect the other residents.
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