Moving a parent into an assisted living facility is a difficult decision for any family. Above all, you want to be sure that your parent is emotionally ready to handle the changes associated with such a move. Although it's impossible to predict with certainty how an individual will react to this major life change, there are some signs that you can look for that can help give you better confidence in your decision.
While some individuals cannot understand their need to move to an assisted living facility, most individuals have at least some capacity to see why you're making this decision. If your parent has the capacity to understand, then it's important to help them grasp the seriousness of their situation and how it can no longer be improved with in-home care. Once they realize that everyone's lives will be better because of this change, they will be much more likely to accept it.
Moving into an assisted living facility has plenty of benefits. At the same time, there is still a sense of loss associated with such a move. The place that your parent is leaving may be quite special to them, which can make it difficult to move on. If your parent is at a point, though, where they're ready to let go of their current living arrangement, there's a good chance that the transition to an assisted living facility will be a smooth one.
Letting someone else make decisions on your behalf can be quite intimidating. Therefore, your parent must be able to trust you before you can embark on moving them to an assisted living facility. If you have a strained relationship with your parent, it's important to take time to build this relationship so that you can gain the trust you need for them to accept your decision.
There will likely be some sadness associated with moving to an assisted living facility. If your parent becomes clinically depressed before their move, though, you may want to delay the move if at all possible. By dealing with the depression before the move, you will show your parent that you want the best for them, even in the midst of this difficult situation.
Unless your parent is in imminent danger, there's no need to rush the process of moving them to an assisted living facility. If you can, then, it's important to take the process slowly to ensure that your parent doesn't feel as though you're forcing something on them. A slow and steady transition is much more likely to be smooth so that your parent can enjoy a better quality of life once they arrive at the facility.
Anica is a professional content and copywriter who graduated from the University of San Francisco. She loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. You can connect with Anica on Twitter @AnicaOaks.