Our families mean the world to us, and we go to great lengths to care for those we love. Therefore, when it becomes necessary to move aging parents or loved ones to an adult living residence, guilt can become a significant stumbling block. The feeling can come from many directions. Sometimes the senior parent doesn’t wish to give up their home or independence, while in other situations, the family feels guilt over not caring for their parents themselves. Each family will have its own dynamic, but when it becomes evident that the individual cannot live safely on their own, a decision must be made. If the assisted living choice is the right one for your family, there are many reasons you can feel confident that you are doing the right thing.
Essential Aspects of Your Assisted Living Choice
Most people are reluctant to embrace change, and a senior adult who has lived many years in the same place may be especially resistant to the idea of moving. However, you can assure them that professional and quality assisted living facilities to improve their residents’ overall quality of life. There are many reasons for this, including the following:
Daily Assistance: It is estimated that 10% of individuals over 75 years old require some daily assistance with activities, including getting dressed, taking care of hygiene, and medication management. However, many more also need assistance with accomplishing errands, preparing meals, traveling to doctors’ appointments, and keeping up with bills and obligations. Although these tasks may seem relatively simple, the list of to-do’s can seem overwhelming for senior citizens who don’t wish to burden their friends or family members. Their adult children often have difficulty fitting these activities into their already busy schedules and may feel anxiety or guilt over their inability to help. Assisted living facilities can relieve all these pressures and concerns by providing all needed assistance.
Nutrition: Maintaining a healthy diet is essential for everyone regardless of age, but it is especially vital for seniors who need to optimize their immunity, strength, agility, and cognitive function. Sadly, many seniors who live alone neglect proper eating for several reasons, including the inability to go grocery shopping or a lack of desire to cook for themselves. When your senior loved one resides in an assisted living facility, family members can rest assured that they are provided with nutritious meals tailored to their specific medical and nutritional needs. A healthy diet will improve all aspects of the senior’s life, making them feel better, sleep better and remain active longer.
Socialization: One of the main objections to moving into an assisted living facility is that the senior fears feeling “abandoned.” In fact, the opposite is true. These residences provide ample opportunities for engagement with others, from community dining to social activities, clubs, and excursions. While many seniors are isolated in their own homes, often unable to drive any longer, those in assisted living can form new friendships simply by walking down the hall, attending a fitness class, meeting for breakfast, or joining a bridge club. This sense of community is instrumental in preventing the depression that is associated with and aggravated by isolation. Even living with family can promote loneliness if everyone leaves for work and school every day, and the seniors can no longer participate in their own activities. In assisted living, a full and fulfilling social life is encouraged and supported by an attentive staff. Many seniors discover a newfound sense of joy and excitement as they meet new people and participate in new activities – allowing family members to release any guilt about their happiness.
Transportation: Once they stop driving, many seniors feel trapped because they do not want to ask family or friends for rides. They may stop attending favorite activities or neglect their medical care or day-to-day needs. Whether they need to visit their doctor or go shopping, an assisted living residence can ensure that your senior loved one has the necessary safe and reliable transportation. This alleviates the sense of being a burden for the senior and allows the family the peace of knowing their loved one has everything they need.
Continuity of Care: One of the most challenging aspects of caring for a loved one at home is handling medication and care as medical needs evolve. At some point, they may need to transfer their loved one to a medical facility or skilled nursing home when they are most vulnerable. When selecting an assisted living facility, the family can choose one that will adapt as needs evolve, meaning their loved one can often remain in the same location with people they know, even if they require more assistance. This continuity of care minimizes the stress and confusion for the resident as they age and helps the family to feel less guilt knowing their loved one feels safe.
In addition to the benefits listed above, families often enjoy a renewed and more meaningful relationship with their senior loved ones once they are settled into assisted living. This is because once the daily stress of care, errands, and to-dos is removed, visits can be spent relaxing and enjoying time together.
These are just some of the aspects of making the assisted living choice that can ease stress and guilt for families of seniors. To learn more about why a move to assisted living may be the most beneficial choice for your family member, contact My Care Finders. We work with families to identify the best senior living residence based on their loved one’s specific needs and requirements.
