Transitioning Your Parents To An Assisted Living Facility.

People with aging parents may find it difficult to have a
discussion about the prospect of transitioning them into a senior residence,
particularly an assisted living community.  Many adult children should
expect to face some resistance from their parents who may feel they are not
ready to give up their independence and/or move from their home.  However,
there are potential warning signs that one should consider while evaluating the
particular circumstances.  The following are some examples when having a
discussion on the topic might be necessary:

• The
  refrigerator is empty or filled with spoiled food, which may be a sign
  that food shopping and preparation are more difficult.
• The
  parent has frequent bruises, which may be a sign of falling or mobility
  and balance problems.
• The
  parent poses a safety risk by living alone (i.e., forgetting to turn off
  burners on the stove).
• The
  parent wears the same clothing over and over again or neglects personal
  hygiene, which can be a sign that doing laundry and bathing are becoming
  more challenging.
• The
  house isn’t as clean and tidy and is in disrepair, which may show that
  maintenance may becoming too much of a burden.
• The
  parent forgets things (including doctor’s appointments and when to take
  medication) or dresses inappropriately for the weather, which may be due
  to memory loss or dementia.
• The
  parent seems to be depressed or anxious, which may result from isolation
  and staying home alone, particularly if a spouse recently died.

Assisted living communities offer many great benefits to the
residents and provides peace of mind to their loved ones.  Some of these
benefits may include the following:

• Dining
  plans with many choices of food to ensure that each resident is eating a
  well-balanced healthy meal.
• Daily
  social and recreational activities to encourage an active social life.
• Laundry
  and linen services.
• Assistance
  with eating, bathing, dressing and medication management, ensuring greater
  health and personal hygiene.
• On-site
  trained staff for medical emergencies.
• Group
  transportation for shopping and community events, and personal
  transportation for doctor’s appointments.
• On-site
  medical offices, physical therapists and other medical professionals.

While having a discussion with a parent about moving from the
home may not be easy, promoting the benefits of assisted living can make the
conversation much easier.  Planning ahead and getting them comfortable
with the prospect of moving into such a residence is strongly encouraged,
states J.D.
Davis, a co-founder of Golden Years Living Solutions, which provides a free
service to families searching for senior residences.  He can be reached at
(914) 437-8675 or visit the company’s website for additional information. 
www.goldenyearslivingsolutions.com