What comes to mind when you think of “quality of life?” Is it the measurement by which you gauge your happiness? Your health? Your independence? The actual definition of a person’s quality of life is the standard of health, comfort, and happiness experienced by an individual.

As children, our parents are our number one support system. They raise us, teach us right from wrong, and love us unconditionally as we grow up and become self-sufficient adults. However, when your parent starts to grow older, the tables begin to turn: you might notice that they require extra help with their daily routines. 

When a parent or loved one is in the midst of making the move into an assisted senior living community, you are both likely to feel a wide spectrum of emotions. For example, you may feel relieved knowing that Mom or Dad will get the care and support they need to lead a safe, healthy lifestyle. Both of you may also feel excited about your parent’s opportunities to socialize and make new friends. However, your parent may also feel reluctant or fearful at the idea of making such a significant change.

While some adults find themselves gradually moving into a caregiver role for their aging parents, for others, the shift to caregiver comes on much more suddenly. It can be difficult to know where to turn for answers when this happens.

Whether a person needs help with everyday tasks, somebody to help them with errands and transportation, or needs additional support with mobility, some older adults can benefit from a helping hand.

When the lifestyle of a parent or loved one indicates that they may need additional support, many family members are quick to take on the responsibility themselves. For many, it’s a no-brainer that they should care for the person who cared for them for so many years. While this proposal is compassionate and admirable, many people don’t realize the costs and sacrifices of caregiving, including financial, mental, and physical.

At a certain point, you may start to consider transitioning to an assisted living community. Whether you recognize that you need an extra level of care and support or are simply looking for a maintenance-free lifestyle, making the decision to move to a senior living community can provide you with the solutions that you need.

If you are seeking an assisted living community for a parent or loved one, you want to make sure it is the right fit. But how can you or the family members and friends taking a tour know if the senior living community is the right fit if you don’t know what to look for?

There are several health benefits to staying positive, but when it comes to taking care of someone else, it is essential and can be even more of a challenge. If you are a primary caregiver for mom or dad, you may have even experienced feelings of caregiver burnout.

Retirement community. Old folks home. Rest home. These words conjure up the image of a dingy nursing home with bad fluorescent lighting, unhappy seniors, and unappetizing cafeteria food. While this may have been a reality in decades gone past – that’s simply not the case anymore. Chances are if you’re reading this, you are part of the Baby Boomer generation, people born post World War II between 1946-1964 and you’re demanding a different type of retirement. Your generation is leading the charge in redefining retirement and what senior living providers offer in services, amenities, and accommodations.