For many of us, our parents are the pinnacle of a healthy relationship. As children, they’re our first example of what it means to love and care for another person and provide a strong foundation for a family. But as our parents get older, there comes a time where you might have to face a challenging question: when Mom and Dad develop different care needs, what could this mean for their relationship?
At Brickmont Assisted Living, we embrace the principle that you should “Live Where You’re Loved.” We want to help you make the best decision for your parents. Our senior care services are designed to meet every resident’s unique personal needs. And, when it comes to finding the right situation for married couples, we’re here to help you discover new possibilities.
When embarking on this care journey, here are some steps to consider and ways to help your parents make the best decision for themselves and their relationship.
The Importance of Staying Together
Finding the right support is important, but it’s crucial to consider the emotions of separating your parents into different living arrangements. If your parents have been married for decades, they have come to rely on the support, affection, and companionship they receive from their partner.
Separation could cause loneliness, stress, and emotional trauma for both parents, especially the parent that needs extra care. Ensure that mom or dad is involved in the decision-making process, and take time to ask questions about how they’re feeling as they learn more about their health issues. When educating themselves about possible care options, talk to both parents about the idea of moving with their partner to a senior living community in Georgia.
Staying together is also great for keeping a consistent routine in the daily lives of your parents. For those dealing with cognitive impairments, this is a crucial step for staying sharp. By sticking to familiar patterns and routines, predictability can create a grounding sense of control.
When deciding to move to a senior care community, consider how the transition into a new home might interfere with this sense of predictability. For example, despite helpful benefits and expert care, if one parent is living without their partner, they might come to miss certain aspects of their home and relationship.
Communication is Key
Consider planning a family talk with both parents to discuss their questions, ideas, and concerns. Perhaps sit down with your parents to come up with a list of productive changes that a senior care community could provide for your family and their relationship. Remember to keep everyone involved in the conversation to avoid feeling left out of the planning.
Not sure where to begin? Here are some key points:
Fewer Caregiver Responsibilities
The greatest part of being in a loving relationship is being able to rely on your partner for help, care, and safety. However, sometimes this can take a toll on the parent who has taken on the role of a caregiver. This is a perfectly natural occurrence: everyone experiences burnout here and there, but plenty of senior living options can help alleviate some of the pressure and responsibilities of family caretakers.
A Robust Social Calendar
Senior living communities are a great way to enjoy all aspects of life after retirement – especially when it comes to social events and activities! Your parents can enjoy new experiences and opportunities, and continue living a fulfilled and fun life together.
Consider All Care Options
At Brickmont Assisted Living, we offer a variety of senior living services in Georgia to meet the needs of older adults.
Assisted Living allows residents to safely remain independent as they enjoy the benefits and amenities of community living while receiving support in certain aspects of daily life.
Our Silver Linings Memory Care program provides a secure and comforting environment with enhanced assistance for those living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia.
If your parents decide they aren’t ready to move to a community, suggest they look into forms of short-term senior care, like our Respite Care and Adult Day Care services. Short-term services can facilitate caregivers who might need a break, and it can be an excellent way for an individual to test the waters before making the decision to move into a senior living community.
These options are also valuable if a parent is recovering from surgery, as we offer a full range of benefits and amenities for your parent to enjoy as they recuperate comfortably and safely.
Your parents have spent decades building their life together, and when things get challenging due to health issues, it’s important to be present and active in the next steps.
At Brickmont Senior Living, we are proud to be a resource for care and education so that your parents can enjoy this next phase of life and continue growing together. Visit our website to learn more about our assisted senior living and memory care communities throughout Georgia.
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