It’s difficult to think of life’s big moments without thinking of our parents. They’ve been a constant source of solace, inspiration, and strength. So, when the time comes to talk to your parents about assisted living, you may be overcome with emotion.
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Many adult children are faced with the difficult task of locating a safe place for their parents to age. However, by following these four steps in planning for assisted living with your parents, you can make the transition much less stressful for everyone.
Hold a Family Gathering
The decision to move into assisted living is a life-changing one, which is why your parents and family members should be involved in the process as much as possible. A family meeting is the best way to start the conversation about assisted living. Here are some ideas for holding a family meeting about moving your parents to assisted living:
- Include everyone who will be a part of your parents’ caregiving team. Family members, close friends, neighbors, their minister, or a paid caregiver could all be included.
- Make a plan to keep communication flowing and the group focused on supporting your parents. Maintain a clear timetable to avoid overwhelming those attending the meeting.
- Choose a relaxing environment to keep tension low and positivity high. Choose a location with plenty of seating and few distractions.
- Make certain that everyone is heard. Moving your parents into assisted living can be an emotional experience for everyone involved. People are more willing to discuss the situation if they believe they are in a safe environment.
Assess Their Needs
An in-person visit with their primary care physician as well as a tour of the community is the best way to accurately assess your aging parent’s needs. You will not only receive a comprehensive evaluation of their functional abilities, but you will also receive an assessment of their physical health.
In order to provide the best care possible, their doctor will assess how well your mother or father performs Activities of Daily Living or ADLs. These are activities that your parents do daily, such as:
- Bathing
- Eating
- Dressing
- Grooming
- Dental hygiene
- Staircase Climbing
- Taking a walk
- Using the restroom
You should also assess your parents’ ability to perform Instrumental Activities of Daily Living, or IADLS. Adults must engage in these activities to live a successful, self-sufficient life. Evaluating IADLS is also a way to determine the level of care your parents will require when they move into assisted living. Here are some examples:
- Cooking
- Taking the car or taking public transportation
- Cleaning the house
- Keeping financial records
- Doing laundry
- Using the telephone to look up numbers
- Medication administration
Plan a Sound Financial Budget For Assisted Living
After you’ve determined the level of care your mother or father may require, it’s time to consider what your family can afford every month. You may want to evaluate the cost of living in Roanoke, VA. Your parents may be able to fund this through a combination of personal savings, Social Security payments, pension payments, and retirement accounts; they may also be willing to sell their home. Adult children may contribute some of their own money to supplement their parents’ resources in some cases.
