As your parent enters their senior years, you might start to wonder if they would benefit from moving to a nursing home or an assisted living community tailored to senior citizens. Here are some signs that it could be time to talk to your parent about relocating to a senior living facility.
They Have Greater Medical Care Needs
When your parent has a new medical diagnosis that requires a great deal of additional care or has a worsening chronic health condition, they may need more care than you can provide on your own. You may not feel comfortable giving your parent a tube feeding or moving them from their bed to a wheelchair, but these facilities are typically staffed with a nurse and other medical professionals who can provide whatever care your parent needs. Those professionals are available around the clock, so that if your parent has a health-related emergency, you can be confident that they will be cared for right away.
Your Parent Has No Social Life
It can hard to meet new people when one is a senior citizen, and you might not be able to take your parent out on the town on a regular basis. As a result, your parent may feel bored, isolated and somewhat depressed.
A senior living facility can help give your parent the kind of enjoyable social life they may not have had in many years. Many facilities have activities, dances and trips that can keep your parent busy with people their own age and give them something to look forward on a daily basis.
You are Experiencing Signs of Burnout
If you have been the primary caregiver to your aging parent, it is okay to admit that you are tired and overwhelmed if that is the case. If you are starting to feel that your own life is starting to fall apart, you may need to admit that your parent might fare better with other care providers. Having your parent move into a senior living facility can alleviate a lot of stress in your life and you can be confident they are getting adequate care.
If you notice any of the signs above, it may be time to have a discussion with your parent about whether they should move into a place that is geared toward seniors. Be sure to visit different senior living facilities in the area to determine which might be most suitable for your parent.
Share4 November 2015
My mother had been living with my family for about four years before her health got so bad that I couldn't keep her in my home any longer. At that point, I really had no choice but to find a comfortable nursing home for her to move into. This wasn't an easy decision for me to make, but it was the only thing I could do to ensure she was getting the best care possible during her final days. I was pleased to find a wonderful nursing home that provided her with amenities that she could enjoy and a caring staff that would care for her. If you are second-thinking taking your loved one to a nursing home, stop and read my blog where you will find out how much good it can do for your loved one and yourself.
