It is a fact of life that parents will need more attention and care as they grow older. It is likely that you will have to go through the process of helping your parents select and settle in to their next phase of life. If you were raised by lesbian mothers or gay fathers, you know that your family unit often looks or will be perceived differently than opposite sex family units. When it comes to long term care for your parent, will need to help your parents select assisted living facilities based on their need, as well as a community that will be accepting of them. Here are some ways to go about finding an LGBT-friendly assisted living facility for your parent.
Study town demographics
Some towns have large enclaves of lesbians and lesbians who create close-knit communities. Look at the data for each city and at the number of same sex couples or the LGBT scene of the town. Higher percentages of same sex households means more same sex retirees in the area. If possible, look in the areas that are nearby your home or your parent's state so that they are in a place that is familiar as well as relatable for them. Be sure to ask your parent if they are comfortable moving long distance to be in a facility that houses a larger LGBT community.
Go on community visits
The best way to figure out if your parents would enjoy the community is to go on a day visit. Once you have found several facilities that work with your parent's level of ability and are located in LGBT-friendly areas, you and your parents should make the trip. Look around the facility and speak with the staff about the rules, cost, and the day-to-day lives of those who live in the facility. Have a frank, open conversation about the needs of your LGBT persons to understand if the community is a place that will make your parent(s) feel accepted.
Make sure proper paperwork is in order
If your parents are going into an assisted living facility together, make sure that the proper paperwork is in order for them. Some older LGBT couples created families in a time when marriage was not legal for those who were gay. If your parents are not legally married, talk to them about making the legal switch so that they can easily be housed together and make medical decisions for one another. If your parents cannot get married for specific reasons, have a lawyer draft up the paperwork deeming them one another's power or medical and legal attorney. Keep this paperwork on file with the facility, so that there is no question as to who gets to make choices in emergency situations and so that your parents may always accompany one another to the hospital if necessary.
For an assisted living facility in your area, contact a facility such as Harbor Lights House Assisted Living Inc.
Share17 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.
