Making the decision to move an elderly parent into an assisted living facility can be life-changing for the individual and the entire family. It might mark the end of a chapter, but it’s the start of a new beginning by putting a parent in assisted living.

Your parents’ daily care will be under the guidance of experts. They’ll be surrounded by a community and are often much safer than they’d be in their own home. Loneliness and feeling unsafe can be damaging to mental health, but many older adults are reluctant to share their insecurities.

Keep reading for advice about when moving into assisted living is recommended for an aging parent, the benefits of this type of community and how to cope with your parent’s transition.

What Is Assisted Living?

Assisted living is a form of senior living that typically provides different levels of care depending on an individual’s needs — for example, lower levels of care, higher levels of care and respite care. Some can even cater to an elderly person with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.

In this type of community, the individual’s mental, physical and overall well-being are top priorities. It’s not like a nursing home, where medical care such as skilled nursing and physical therapy is required. Instead, staff members provide support services such as:

• Medication management
• Help with daily tasks such as grooming and dressing
• Housekeeping
• Enriching social activities
• Daily meals and snacks

Signs Your Family Member Is Ready to Move to an Assisted Living Community

Many families struggle to know when the time is right to move Mom or Dad into a new environment for their safety and well-being. There are a few things to look out for that might signal that it’s time to transfer a parent’s care from family caregivers to professionals:

• Your parent has fallen several times and injured themselves.
• Your parent struggles to complete daily tasks because of a decline in physical or cognitive ability.
• Your parent seems more confused than they did in their younger years.
• Your parent seems socially withdrawn or isn’t seeking any leisure pursuits.
• The pressures of caregiving are negatively impacting the family unit.

What Are the Benefits of Moving Your Parent Into a Senior Living Community?

Try to make sure your loved one sees a change in their living situation in a positive light. Instead of approaching the subject as a looming threat, explain how much moving into a senior living environment can enrich their life.

It’s human nature to resist change to some extent, but moving into assisted living has an array of benefits, such as:

• Gourmet meals are prepared three times per day, with no shopping, preparation or cleanup required.
• Enriching activities such as arts and crafts and parlor games keep your loved one physically and mentally healthy.
• Life’s events are celebrated with other residents.
• There are lots of opportunities to make new friends and establish social connections.
• They have the safety, comfort and security of living under the care of a professional team in lovely surroundings.

Questions Family Members Can Ask When Making a Decision

In the best communities, residents flourish after making new connections, taking part in fun activities and no longer needing to worry about chores. Many seniors are reluctant to leave their homes, but it’s preferable that you get them on board and make a collaborative decision. If you or your senior loved one still isn’t sure if the time is right, some questions that can help include:

• How much longer can family members provide for their senior loved one?
• Are there gaps in care at the moment?
• Does the older adult require attention several times per day but a family member is only available once?
• Is the senior loved one getting enough social nourishment?
• Would living in an assisted living center facilitate obligation-free, enjoyable time together?

Compassionate and Professional Care at Our Assisted Living Home

At Abbey Manor’s assisted living in Maryland, we go the extra mile to get to know new residents. This allows us to tailor their experience according to their needs and preferences, such as meal choices and preferred activities. There are four distinct types of care available in our community.

Assisted Living

Our assisted living facility has a low resident-to-staff member ratio, meaning each individual gets the attention they deserve. Team members are highly trained, and a caregiver is on hand 24 hours per day to provide care and assistance as needed. Residents enjoy three meals per day plus snacks, and there’s a pretty patio, a common area and an activity room. All residences have heating, AC and private bathrooms.

Memory Care

While we don’t have a specific unit for dementia care, we’re able to cater to seniors with dementia. Abbey Manor consists of two houses, each with 16 private suites. Our low resident-to-staff ratio means your loved one with memory issues can feel safe and engaged under our care.

Short-Term Respite Care

If you’re a caregiver and you require a vacation or if your loved one needs a short-term solution between residences, we can help. Individuals who come to us for a short-term stay receive all the same benefits as our assisted living residents — the only difference is the duration of their stay.

End-of-Life Care

We understand the value of aging in place and work with outside companies to coordinate end-of-life care for qualifying residents.

Tips for Coping With Any Intense Emotions Surrounding The Tough Decision of Putting a Parent in Assisted Living

You might feel guilty about putting your senior parent into assisted living, but there’s no need to suffer over this important decision. Placing their care in the hands of qualified professionals in a safe, purpose-built environment is often the best choice.

Some tips to help you deal with the emotional roller-coaster include:

• Accepting your feelings instead of fighting them
• Paying regular visits
• Ensuring your loved one is surrounded by keepsakes and family photos
• Moving away from obligation and towards unconditional love
• Reminding yourself that your loved one is less isolated, is safer and has more access to care
• Remembering that you’re not in control of circumstances and are doing your best

One of Maryland’s Top Assisted Living Communities

If you’re ready to move your loved one into an assisted living community, get in touch with Abbey Manor today at (443) 256-4871 to schedule a tour.