It is never an easy thing to find that your aging parent can no longer continue to live independently. It is difficult to admit to yourself that they need much more assistance than they are getting to maintain a safe and healthy quality of life. Having such a conversation with them can also be an intimidating prospect for anyone.
The topic of lifestyle tends to be an incredibly sensitive one for many seniors. The fact of the matter is that they are most likely completely unaware that there is any problem with their style of living. Some wish to avoid being a burden either financially or otherwise on their family, while for others it is a matter of pride and the wish to avoid giving up any independence that presents a roadblock.
Regardless of the specific motivations behind why your parent doesn’t wish for any change to their living situation at the moment, their health and safety is far too important of a priority to let slide. Doing what you can to gently and patiently help them see how much better their life would be with more assistance can go a long way.
The prospect of moving to an assisted living community is a daunting one. It means a complete change in lifestyle and leaving behind the home that they have perhaps been in for many years. However, by showing them just how much better life will be once the move has been made, you can help your parent to feel more comfortable with the change in general.
This starts by finding the right assisted living community for your parent. Depending on their personal circumstances and preferences, you might have to do some searching. That being said, including them in the process can also help them to feel more comfortable and even excited about the change.
With that in mind, here are four things that you should consider when you are helping your parent to find the right assisted living community for them so that they will feel at ease and more positive about the prospect of moving into their new home.
1. Lifestyle Options
Many assisted living communities offer a range of lifestyle options. For instance, if your parent is capable of maintaining a fairly independent lifestyle with a bit of oversight and assistance, you should find a community that caters to that. On the other hand, if they are in need of a more clearly defined assisted living option, that should be available to them as well.
Some communities, like Belmont Village Senior Living, have such different levels of care that you can choose from. One obvious benefit of going with a community with such options is that as your parent’s needs grow in terms of how much help and assistance they need, they can find that help right in their own community without having to make yet another move.
2. Quality
Among the more important things that you will want to do is research to find the communities in your local area that are known for their high quality of care. The right community will be well maintained, clean, and staffed with friendly and knowledgeable individuals who love what they do.
While you will certainly need to tour a community to get a clear sense of their standards, there is a great deal that you can learn online as well before you go to see a place for yourself. There may even be reviews online that you can read or testimonials from families who have experienced a certain community firsthand and can give valuable insight into what it is like to live there.
Ultimately, a quality assisted living community will be one that is run professionally and that maintains the highest standards of cleanliness and care for their residents.
3. Amenities
Once you have found some quality communities to consider, you can start to dig a little deeper and find out what sort of amenities are offered on-site. For example, what sort of services are available regarding housekeeping and laundry? Are there organized activities for the residents throughout the week? What sort of meal and dining options are available to residents?
All of these things and more are going to play a key role in how comfortable your parent will be in their new home. Such things can also encourage your parent to adopt a more active and social lifestyle as well. Being able to spend time with other residents at community events and having walking paths and even properly monitored gym facilities on-site can all contribute to the mental and physical wellbeing of your parent.
4. Medical Considerations
One of the main reasons that you are seeking out an assisted living community for your parent most likely pertains to aspects of their health. Perhaps they have started to experience a decline in health that requires them to be on regular medication and to be seen routinely by a healthcare provider. Even though most assisted living communities can help with such things, it is important to find one that can and will cater to the specific medical needs of your parent.
Some communities will even have memory and mental health care options on-site for those who require treatment for conditions like dementia. Even if memory care is not an issue at this point in time, it is always good to have such options available to ensure that your parent maintains an active and fit mind as they age.
It is a good idea to consult with your parent’s physician before starting your search for the right community to determine precisely what level of care that they will need going forward and what sort of developments you might be able to anticipate. Finding a community that offers a range of healthcare services can make it easier for you to make your choice as such a facility would be better suited to the long-term care of your parent.
Nickida
Nickida is a first-generation Trinidadian American wife and mother of four. She enjoys sharing recipes from her childhood growing up in Trinidad with her readers. Nickida has a son with Autism and shares posts around traveling with a child with special needs to help other families like her own. She loves television, movies and is a true 80's baby.
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