Bringing up assisted living to your loved one or friend might prove to be a difficult task since you are addressing the controversial topic of elderly care. Even though you are used to having this person with you at all times, and you have grown fond of them, families need to discuss the issue of transitioning to the facility for specialized care during this particular stage of their life. It is often advisable to plan to avoid future unavoidable incidents or accidents.
It is advisable to start the conversation on time, with your close friends and family, and the elderly member if they are of sound mind. The decision is not always easy for one person to make; that’s why involving close friends informs your decision. Once everyone is on board, you should note down the list of needs and possible solutions to mitigating these issues.
Starting the Conversation about Assisted Living
Before you bring up the issue to your loved one, timing is everything. This means that you should clear your schedule to have enough time to talk to discuss the needs and care of your loved one. Most people usually plan for family meetings and use the platform to raise their concerns and proposal, which is a living solution for elderly members.
It is crucial to fill the room with friendly, familiar faces close to your loved one since it helps them feel loved and cared for. Involving the elderly member is also good because they feel part of the solution and may also see the need to transition if they are engaged and involved all through. The whole idea about applying them is to express empathy and show them that their well-being is of optimal concern to the entire family.
After carefully assessing the needs of your loved ones, it is essential to conduct in-depth research on assisted living facilities that match the needs of your loved ones. This will require sharing online information, pictures, brochures, and other relevant information that pertains to the potential resident. Once you have shared the information, you should schedule regular visits to the different facilities. It would help if you had an engaging conversation after every visit to identify the best one.
Preparing for the Transition
Moving to your assisted living facility of choice is a challenging undertaking that involves packing. It consists of choosing what to take with you and what to leave behind, resulting in emotional strain. The facilities usually come furnished and relieve you of moving all your stuff to the facility, which makes it seem like a vacation rather than a move from your past life. Ensure you pack all the personal things such as; entertainment items, decorative items, furniture pieces, cleaning, and unique supplies to make it feel like home.