You may be feeling guilty for having to make this decision of putting your parents in assisted living. In actual fact, it is a responsible thing to do, particularly if your capacity as a caregiver has been exceeded by the daily needs of your parents. If you find yourself at a loss or even depressed at having come to this point in the road, be comforted by the fact that putting your parents in assisted living does not mean the end of your involvement in their lives. Even if you are no longer the one taking on the physical labor of looking after your parents, the family’s continued involvement is of paramount importance in ensuring the comfort of your parents. Your role as a caregiver has just evolved to one that is more of a managerial position. Read on to find out more about the family roles for seniors who are transitioning to assisted living to help them to adapt quickly.
Providing Emotional Support
Understandably, your parents may be feeling fear, anxiety, sadness, or even depression upon being transplanted to a new and unfamiliar environment. They may start to isolate themselves, withdraw from social events, or exhibit anti-social tendencies in extreme cases. Your presence helps to soften the transition from home to the assisted living community. Giving emotional support helps to ease your parents’ sense of abandonment. You can also be the one to introduce them to the team members that they would be interacting with on a daily basis to build trust. On the other hand, you can also be the one to inform the team members of your parents’ likes and dislikes, their eating habits, or their favorite activities. In short, these valuable information bridges the gap between home and the assisted living community and helps the team members a great deal by allowing them to get to know your parents and tailor their care in accordance to their preferences.
Empowering Your Parents
Moving away from the home environment may feel like being forced to relinquish control. Give back this sense of control by involving your parents in decisions whenever possible. Get them excited in planning their new suite or apartment by showing them the floor plan on your computer or tablet before moving day. Consider furniture placements or how you can help them decorate their apartments to their liking. Let them take a leading role in deciding where to hang their favorite artworks or where to place the carpet. Turning the new apartment into something close to home is an important step in softening the transition. Help them to imagine the new possibilities that await them in the community. Some community members even use this opportunity to reinvent themselves.
Know That You Are Doing Your Best
Assisted living communities offer a wide range of amenities and specialized care that home care falls short of, while your continued involvement provides the emotional well-being your parents need. Our comfortable assisted living community homes ensure the best stay for your parents.
