Lori-Ann and her father

As many of you know, my proud father and I struggled through the process of making decisions about assisted living options for him.  I learned a lot from this experience.

If the time comes that your loved one needs to enter assisted living, there are many considerations to be made. You may be thinking about location, dietary needs, activities, and packing up their house.

Remember, though, to also think about your loved one. The person who is moving into assisted living will probably be dealing with a lot of emotions. They may be worried. They may be grieving the loss of their mobility or their independence.  My dad loved his little condo and was heartbroken to know he could not live there by himself any longer.

It’s important to talk to to your loved one throughout the process. You may want to include your siblings in the conversation, but then you need to go talk to you loved one. Let your loved one know what the doctors have recommended. Let him or her know that you need to make a decision.

If possible, bring your loved one with you to the assisted living facilities when you tour them. Let them be involved in deciding which place suits their needs and budget.

This may be a tough transition for them. The more you can involve them in the process, the more in control they might feel. Lastly, always remember, there is no perfect living arrangement as someone ages.  Just knowing this will allow you to weigh and balance all the options.

I’d love to hear about your family’s experience with assisted living.  Please leave a comment on Facebook or Instagram.

Want to know more about preparing for assisted living? Check out my book Easy Healthcare: Choosing an Assisted Living Facility.