Spending time with our loved ones is one of life’s great treasures, especially as they age and the time spent together becomes more precious. However, if you’ve been spending that time asking yourself, “How do I get my Mom into assisted living?” because you’ve noticed signs that some extra help is required, it’s time to consider having a serious conversation with your family. Maybe Dad doesn’t get around quite as easily as he used to. Or Mom has a harder time remembering things she used to know like the back of her hand. Confronting this transformative life stage can be intimidating, but it’s not insurmountable. There are endless ways to convince a parent to go to assisted living, but they all start with the same step: communicating honestly and with empathy.
The conversation about how to move a parent with dementia to a new community likely won’t be an easy one, but it’s necessary for their health and safety and for your peace of mind. If you find they require convincing that an assisted living community that also offers memory support is their best option, try to recontextualize the way they think about senior living. It’s possible that they’re simply unaware of just how much these types of communities have changed over the years. Their perceptions could be clouded by outdated judgments of how things used to be. Today’s senior communities are thriving neighborhoods with full calendars of activities, excellent amenities, top-notch dining options, and dedicated staff members who treat residents like family.
Beyond the allure of amenities and great food, the true, invaluable benefit that assisted living provides is unparalleled peace of mind for seniors and all those who care about their well-being. Too often, family is forced to spend a great deal of time and mental energy worrying about the welfare of a loved one. When you consider how to move your parents into assisted living, you should also consider your own concerns and worries, which would be significantly lessened knowing that an experienced staff will be close by and ready at a moment’s notice. Plus, if your loved one’s health care needs change to the point where skilled nursing is required, you’ll already have the comfort of knowing they’re in a place where it’s available and provided by a team you’re already comfortable with.
Let seniors know that they have a choice in this decision. There’s very little chance for a successful transition into a new lifestyle if things feel forced and out of their control. When having a conversation on how to move a parent with dementia to assisted living or memory support, start by outlining the benefits noted above and then ask them, “What do you think about checking out some options?” There may be some initial reluctance. The prospect of leaving a home they’ve called their own for some time in favor of all new surroundings with new people is a lot to handle. Start by looking at community websites together, so your loved one can see what they have to offer and decide which ones look like the best fit. The more opportunity they have to feel like the decision is still in their hands, the more likely they are to change their view of assisted living from something that’s undesirable to something undeniable.
No matter how you choose to approach the subject, moving into assisted living and leaving a beloved home is an emotional decision. However, if you start early and plan the transition ahead of time, it’s possible to ease the fears and anxiety that may otherwise be felt if everything had changed as result of a medical emergency.
At Elder Care Alliance communities, our dedicated staff members have all the experience needed to address the unique characteristics of every family dynamic. You and your loved ones can take comfort in the expertise they’ll be able to share to ease the transition. Learn more about all that Elder Care Alliance has to offer or contact us to discuss how to move your parents into assisted living.
