This is a challenge that no one wants to face but sadly many people do. It is a difficult decision to make especially when it is your parents that you are talking about. However, if you have exhausted all other options like personal emergency response systems or having a nurse full time then it may be time to start thinking about placing your elderly relatives in a home or assisted living. Here is a little bit of advice on how to deal with the decision and how you can go about making it.
Should you put your relatives in a nursing home?
Sometimes this is easy for you to make but other times it is a little more complicated. If for example, your relatives have faced a sudden injury, or an onset of a medical illness then long-term care may be the answer. Their condition may make it more difficult for you to care for them if you work full-time or if you can’t afford a full-time carer.
Though it is not always an easy decision to make. Many elderly people have chronic health conditions that can make their functional abilities slower and struggle to understand that they may need someone to assist them with day-to-day tasks. These can be physical, mental, or emotional. It is in these situations that you may start to think about placing your relatives in a home or assisted living. One thing to make sure of is that if they are a danger to themselves then you should act quickly and decisively to avoid any future fatal problems.
You also need to take account of yourself and your family. Looking after your relatives can take an emotional toll on you and it is important to remember that when it gets too much that there is an alternative. You may see your social life decline as well as your ability to work in a professional capacity. In these cases, again placing your relatives in assisted living or a home may be the answer.
Convincing your relatives
It is useful to have a proactive approach when it comes to convincing your relatives. You spend time researching and planning so that you can have a positive outcome. You can be better prepared in case of emergency crops up that may require you to make a quick decision. The best outcome usually stems from advanced research and collaboration between parents and adult children.
A couple of things you can do is to learn the difference between assisted living and full-time nursing home care. Many people are confused by the two options. However, they are different. Assisted living is a place where elderly people can live semi-independently and receive only limited amounts of help with daily activities. They usually have hospitality and personal care services as well as around-the-clock emergency response protocols. A nursing home on the other hand is a place where people who cannot live independently and receive more extensive care.
You should also try and speak to your parents about these options as early as possible. If your relatives refuse to go into care, it is often because they feel under attack or backed into a corner. This is why, when dealing with such a sensitive subject, you consider your parent’s feelings and their arguments. It can be hard for someone to picture themselves in care. You should start discussing it early on and give them options
Making the transition easy
When you are moving your relatives into residential care then you are likely going to experience a lot of intense emotions. You will likely feel fear, sadness, doubt, and guilt. As well as this, your parents will be feeling these feelings as well. It is important to prepare yourself for any lashing out or silent treatment that you may receive as well as any extra stress. You need to know that the stress will only be temporary and that you can plan to make the day a lot easier. You should plan a fun activity to do afterward and take care of as many details before the transition day as possible.
Putting your parents in a home
No matter how much you read and try and prepare yourself for this decision, it will always be hard on both you and your relatives. However, you need to know that you are making the right decision not only for yourself but for your elderly relatives so that you can all stay happier and healthier.
