Things to consider when your parents need assisted living

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It is difficult when our loved ones are unable to take care of themselves, and it can be emotionally taxing to make difficult decisions on their behalf. There is often a stigma to elderly residential homes that may be outdated or based on fear of residents losing their independence.

Assisted living residence doesn’t mean that your parents are no longer able to do the things they enjoy, in fact it can be fulfilling, freeing them to enjoy more of what makes them happy without the burden of tasks they struggle with.

What do you need to consider when your parents need assisted living? Here are just a few things to mull over…

Photo by  Cristian Newman   on Unsplash

Memories

For most, the home they leave is full of happy, family memories; the back garden where you played as a child, and a loft full of everything from school reports to keepsakes and those outfits you can’t part with. Deciding what to do with these items, as well as preserving the memories, can be tough, but spend some time looking through everything and choosing the few they hold most dear to make their new space feel like home.

 

Being compassionate when finding a new home for their belongings can help too. Have them on display in your own home, give relatives the opportunity to take some items for themselves to preserve memories, and hold some in storage to look back on regularly.  Simply discarding them could have a huge impact on your parents’ mental wellbeing at a time when there is already so much change.

 

Time of their lives!

Myth: Assisted living is the end of their independence.

Truth: Many elderly parents can feel lonely or isolated at home especially when alone, assisted living gives an opportunity to socialise in a safe environment with scheduled activities and outings that they may not have had the chance to experience on their own.

 

When looking for potential residential care home, keep an eye out for the friendly faces of the residents your parents will be spending their time with. A number of assisted living facilities are full of active seniors, free from the worry of the routine of home maintenance with extra time to concentrate on the fun things in life.

 

Adaptable

Many residential homes offer a range of home cooked meals that cater to a variety of dietary requirements and preferences, and they know these requirements can change throughout their time with us.

 

Taking into account the changing needs of your parents can be important to consider so it is worth taking the time to discuss this when visiting a potential residence. The presence of professional and friendly staff that knows to offer assistance with bathing or dressing when required can make a big difference. Because the health of your parent can quickly change, consider whether the residence provides access to the health care professionals they may need.

 

Everything they need

It’s the small comforts that make the big differences, and having access to a comfortable, single-occupancy room that they can personalise will give your parents a real sense of home away from home. If they need assistance, a resident call-bell can offer peace of mind, or access to visiting health professionals. Facilities such as an in-house laundry, assisted bathrooms and shared social spaces as well as the inclusion of WiFi can make your parents stay all the more enjoyable and convenient.

If you are looking for care homes in Darlington, Abbeyfield Darlington is a wonderful choice. Find out more about them and, if you think they may be the perfect fit for your parent, get in contact today.

What to consider when your parents need assisted living

It is difficult when our loved ones are unable to take care of themselves, and it can be emotionally taxing to make difficult decisions on their behalf. There is often a stigma to elderly residential homes that may be outdated or based on fear of residents losing their independence.

Assisted living residence doesn’t mean that your parents are no longer able to do the things they enjoy, in fact it can be fulfilling, freeing them to enjoy more of what makes them happy without the burden of tasks they struggle with.

What do you need to consider when your parents need assisted living? Here are just a few things to mull over…

Memories

For most, the home they leave is full of happy, family memories; the back garden where you played as a child, and a loft full of everything from school reports to keepsakes and those outfits you can’t part with. Deciding what to do with these items, as well as preserving the memories, can be tough, but spend some time looking through everything and choosing the few they hold most dear to make their new space feel like home.

Being compassionate when finding a new home for their belongings can help too. Have them on display in your own home, give relatives the opportunity to take some items for themselves to preserve memories, and hold some in storage to look back on regularly.  Simply discarding them could have a huge impact on your parents’ mental wellbeing at a time when there is already so much change.

 

Time of their lives!

Myth: Assisted living is the end of their independence.

Truth: Many elderly parents can feel lonely or isolated at home especially when alone, assisted living gives an opportunity to socialise in a safe environment with scheduled activities and outings that they may not have had the chance to experience on their own.

When looking for potential residential care home, keep an eye out for the friendly faces of the residents your parents will be spending their time with. A number of assisted living facilities are full of active seniors, free from the worry of the routine of home maintenance with extra time to concentrate on the fun things in life.

 

Adaptable

Many residential homes offer a range of home cooked meals that cater to a variety of dietary requirements and preferences, and they know these requirements can change throughout their time with us.

Taking into account the changing needs of your parents can be important to consider so it is worth taking the time to discuss this when visiting a potential residence. The presence of professional and friendly staff that knows to offer assistance with bathing or dressing when required can make a big difference. Because the health of your parent can quickly change, consider whether the residence provides access to the health care professionals they may need.

 

Everything they need

It’s the small comforts that make the big differences, and having access to a comfortable, single-occupancy room that they can personalise will give your parents a real sense of home away from home. If they need assistance, a resident call-bell can offer peace of mind, or access to visiting health professionals. Facilities such as an in-house laundry, assisted bathrooms and shared social spaces as well as the inclusion of WiFi can make your parents stay all the more enjoyable and convenient.

 

If you are looking for care homes in Darlington, Abbeyfield Darlington is a wonderful choice. Find out more about them and, if you think they may be the perfect fit for your parent, get in contact today.

 

 

 

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