One of the toughest decisions an adult child has to make is whether or not to move their mom and dad into assisted living. Often parents don’t want to move and the adult children feel guilty for not being able to provide the level of care required to meet their needs. Something to think about: if the quality care cannot be provided, the quality of life slips.
Once the decision has been made that an assisted living is in the best interest of all members of the family, it’s important to not look back, but, move forward with the decisions of finding the place that best fits the needs of the parent. The transition can go a lot smoother if the parent is involved in the decision making. Take the parent to visit potential new home. If it’s not offered when touring, ask to partake in a meal or an activity. Let the parent get a feel of what their day living there could look like.
For some families, the decision has been to move into an assisted living is made long after the parent’s cognitive functions has declined and the parent is incapable of making the decision. In these instances it’s important to look at the services provided at the assisted living facility ~ can the assisted living meet the parent’s current needs and what about if mom or dad health declines? What level of care/conditions can the assisted living provide? And, most important is to determine if the assisted living is the best fit for them. If they live in a cozy little home, a spacious facility with fancy fixtures and a heated pool might not be the best choice. It’s important to tour at least three facilities before making a decision.
After a community is chosen, the next step is to begin to downsize. This is sometimes the most difficult step: convincing a loved one to part with items they’ve obtained throughout their lifetime. Sometimes a person is afraid to get rid of something in fear of forgetting the memory it’s attached to. Going through items together is a good way to relive the memories together and to determine the importance of the item.
Moving in with personal items is key to a better transition into assisted living. Taking the favorite recliner and their own bed, along with a few personal items will helps the parent settle in faster. Finding a way to make a loved one feel as comfortable and at home as possible is important.
Working together and finding the right setting are they key factors to a successful transition to assisted living. The correct community and the comfort of your loved one are the answers to thriving golden years for loved ones.