There are many voices and opinions that go into the decision of considering a senior living communities, and ultimately deciding to move in. The end goal is the same: health, happiness and safety for the resident and peace of mind for the family. However, the road to get there is rarely linear and may even be a little bumpy. There could be loved ones to convince, financials to reconcile and decisions to be made about family assets and heirlooms. It can be a lot and take a toll on everyone physically, mentally and emotionally.
“Every family situation is unique, as are the circumstances that prompt them to consider a senior living community,” explained Suzanne Okuniewski, an advisor at Country Meadows of Wyomissing. “The motivations are often safety, a medical diagnosis requiring additional support and oversight, the weight of being a primary caregiver, loneliness or transportation limitations.”
Having family members, loved ones or partners involved in the senior living decision making process is key. For daughters, many take on the role of advocate and researcher. They are balancing care decisions for parents with possibly raising their own family and managing busy lives. Sons often focus on the practical side of senior living: care options, safety and long-term planning. For them, understanding the big picture helps them become more comfortable and confident with next steps. For siblings, being on the same page is very important and setting up clear communication is critical, especially if one sibling doesn’t live locally. For couples who are researching their next move, it’s important to make it a unified decision and consider all the benefits that could be gained by taking this step. When a spouse is the sole caregiver, leaning into the advice of medical professionals and even friends can make the process a little less daunting.
From strategizing the first conversation to planning the packing list for moving in, Country Meadows Retirement Communities is here for to support your senior living conversations and has resources to help every member of the family at every step of the journey.
For when you aren’t sure how to broach the conversation:
- Talking about Touchy Topics with aging parents
- How seniors can test if they are still road-ready
- Understanding the term “level of care”
- The social benefits of a retirement community
- What to look for when considering a retirement community
For the when you are feeling the weight of caregiving:
- Care for the caregiver
- Finding your way to caring for a loved one and you (a fuller edition of the above)
- Caring for a loved one in a weather emergency
- Caregiver book reviews (and other books about dementia)
For when the family needs to get on the same team:
- Is personal care or assisted living right for my loved one?
- Understanding the term “level of care”
- Understanding the effects of dementia on your loved one and family
- When it is time for a memory support program?
- Dining out with a loved one with dementia
- What to look for when choosing a memory support program
- What is the difference between in-home care and home health
For the future-resident who wants to be prepared:
- Navigating the maze of senior living options
- How seniors can test if they are still road-ready
- Caring for your pet safely as you age
- Obtaining and maintaining living wills and health care proxies
- What’s the difference between a health care proxy and a power of attorney
- Packing checklist for moving into a senior living community
For the future-resident who is nervous about change but knows something needs to:
- Three questions to ask your doctor about senior care
- Three misperceptions about moving to a retirement community
- Making a smooth transition to a retirement community
For when it’s time to crunch the numbers:
- Thinking about the cost of senior living communities
- Vibrant retirement community living may be more affordable than you think
- Seven tips for choosing the best value in a retirement community
For when you need to explain aging to younger members of the family:
- The Unforgettable Adventures of Grandma’s Cape: Understanding the Forgetting Disease (children’s activity book)
- Talking to your children about dementia
- Children’s books about dementia
- Children’s books about coping with grief
- Ages and stages of grief
