A parent’s care can be an emotional burden on their family. It is the most important job, and the one that nobody wants to face, but everyone wants to make sure they make the best choices possible.
It can be difficult to have your own parent in your home with you, but it may not be a great option either. You may need to find a facility that will take care of them with respect and dignity, offer the necessary services for their well-being, and perhaps most importantly, make them feel at home.
The Search Process: How to Go About Finding the Right Facility
Finding the perfect place for your elderly relative to stay either in the short term or for the long haul isn’t always easy. There are a lot of factors to consider, and you must do so in a methodical manner.
Here are some steps that you can follow that will help with this process:
Understand the Hardest Parts of Your Parent’s Care
What is most difficult for your parent? Activities of daily living like housework, cooking, and personal hygiene? Being left alone or spending time with people they don’t know?
When you know what they want in terms of their care, you can decide what will be best for them, whether they would be best suited to senior home care or moving into a fully catered facility.
What Do They Need Personally?
Think about what your aging parent needs to feel content at different points in the day. They might need structure, help with socialization and activities, or simply something to do on their own.
Also, if you are able to find out the expertise and background of a facility, it can help you make an informed decision.
You will want to spend as much time with your loved one as possible before they arrive. Be sure to have them do some activities that they enjoy and can participate in. If these facilities have a program in place for this, find out what it is about and get involved.
Consider Their Lifestyle
Another thing you should consider when searching for a senior living facility is your parent’s lifestyle. They may enjoy hobbies and pastimes, and you’ll want to find a place that fits into their routine.
It’s also important to consider their moral values and how they feel about healthcare topics like religion, sexuality, and death.
Understand the Facility Options
You have a lot of options when it comes to senior care facilities. Senior living homes, nursing and assisted living homes, and independent living are all viable options that you can choose from.
You should know the differences between each type of facility so that you can make an educated decision. Suppose your parent is unable to take care of themselves due to dementia or mental illness. In that case, you will want to find a facility that has services available for them to keep their mind as active as possible.