“Everyone wants to age at home, but it comes to a point when it’s no longer possible and it’s necessary, as hard as it is, to make that move to the next level of care,” Sandy Markwood, chief executive officer of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, told USA Today.
Many times, one elderly spouse is responsible for the daily hygiene and care of the other. Assistance from home health care workers or visiting nurses may be among the options you could explore before committing to an senior care residence but as our population ages, it is increasingly likely that the time will come when you or someone you know will have to place a family member into an assisted living residence or a nursing home. When and how that difficult decision is made may involve the entire family.
Rob Blackwell was concerned about moving his father into a nearby assisted living facility but as he explained during an interview for the article, Assisted Living: A Turning Point for Alzheimer’s Family, “I asked him if he was OK, and he said he didn’t oppose the move. He didn’t say all those things you’re afraid they’re going to say. He loves my mom so much I think he knows the toll he’s taken on her. He was trying to make it easier on us.”
Ideally, an individual will accept that fact that they need professional assistance and can be actively involved in the process of choosing a care facility. While leaving your home and acknowledging that you need help can be a daunting fact to face for anyone, relieving your family members of the physical and mental stress of your constant care can help improve your relationships.
If the time has come when you or a family member can no longer maintain an independent lifestyle, please contact ElderLink to learn about senior care services and facilities available throughout California.