To lead a dignified and happy life post-retirement happens to be the primary thought of an aging parent. Parents wait for this time with anticipation that they will spend quality time with their children and their progenies once the responsibilities are over. They imagine this phase as family time because they don’t have to hurry now. Often reality doesn’t meet expectations. Retirement feels lonely, dull, and boring. As a child, you can also be helpless because of your busy schedules. You start worrying about their potential health challenges that are common in the older generation. You realize that soon walking, climbing, and cooking will be difficult for them.
You may want to be the full-time caretaker for them, but demanding work and life balance may take a toll on you and your wishes. That’s why you may be looking for an alternative living for them where they can lead their lives peacefully without compromising with homely comforts. Don’t stress about the options. You can help your parents settle down there and check on them from time to time to find them having a healthy and joyful innings of a lifetime.
Assisted living communities
Of the different types of senior living options, the best-assisted living facilities for your parents could be the luxury ones. From high-end community lifestyle to independent living experiences to plenty of amenities and activities, your parents can access it all for almost fixed monthly expenses even when their healthcare needs progress. In luxury assisted living accommodations, you can get apartment-based residences and standalone villas on a campus.
Once they become part of the community, they start getting housekeeping services, access to maintenance staff, and other thoughtful services. You can also expect excellent dining options to be available for them. From comfort food to healthy meals, your parents can eat what they like. And some places provide party and meeting halls so that they can host gatherings.
Another thing that distinguishes luxury living from others is the wellness offers. These resort-style accommodations can have an onsite fitness center encouraging older adults to exercise or have a rejuvenating massage for their better mental and physical health. Additionally, there can be religious services, lectures, and other such engaging provisions. If your parents need memory care assistance, you again don’t need to worry about their requirements. A luxury assisted living unit can take care of this and much more.
But luxury homes are not the only thing. You get many options when it comes to senior living.
Other types of senior living alternatives
Aside from assisted living, seniors can feel comfortable in independent living facilities to lead an active life with their peers. These facilities consist of apartment-style residences for a specific age group. Houses and condos can also feature. Usually, they keep private duty services as optional. If your parents need help with daily tasks, you can talk to them about it.
Then, a skilled nursing facility is another thing. These units take care of rehabilitation and medical as well as nursing requirements. Besides, you come across Continuous Care Retirement Community (CCRC). These communities provide the level of care as assisted living and independent living. However, the main difference between them and others is that they focus more on nursing care. Also, this type of facility often recruits external agencies to provide care services for their residents.
Choosing the right senior living unit
When you have to introduce a change in your older parents’ living situation, you can find it overwhelming to make any decision. The variety of senior housing options can be another challenge. However, you can handle this easily if you know what your parents need and what different housing facilities offer. At the very beginning of this process, you have to determine your affordability. If you don’t have to look at your budget, going with luxury assisted living can be a simple choice. Your aging parents would get to spend a resort-style life here, and you can meet them often. You don’t have to lose sleep over their food and comfort because you know they are in the best place.
However, it would require a little bit of research if you have budget constraints or your parents have any specific medical condition. For example, you may have to find a home for them in a skilled nursing facility if they require continuous supervision and care with health, activities, and healthy eating.
It can be a tough call to send your aging or ailing parents away from you. But these are also some of the most practical decisions of life. Your parents most likely had suffered the same dilemma when they were your age and had to make such decisions for their dear ones. Hence, don’t feel guilty. And now these facilities have evolved so much that you don’t have to think twice about your parent’s comfort and ongoing needs.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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