As the holidays approach, families get the opportunity to be together and enjoy each other’s company. Family time is like no other, so when you all are home, making dinner or decorating the house, spending quality time with your parents can be a blessing. This is also a time adult children may start to notice some things that they never would have noticed before about their parents. Things such as mom/dad beginning to decline in their independence or mobility, or maybe they have trouble remembering things from the past. Remaining in tune with these minor changes is great because catching even a slight change in behavior early on can better prepare your loved one’s future as well as your own.

If you feel mom or dad should not remain at home because of their safety, several options are available to you. A great start is trying out an assisted living community when transitioning from their home into a senior living community. A loss in independence does not always mean a nursing home is going to be a good fit as assisted living facilities offer not only care similar to a nursing home, but also lively activities and socials for seniors to enjoy! The environment is geared around maintaining seniors independence while engaging them in events to stay active and social with others. Say, for instance, you are unsure you want to move mom or dad into a home because the environment might be too much, you feel your loved one may not like it, or you feel guilty for moving them out of their comfort zone in the first place. Just like purchasing a car, you can “test them out!” Assisted living facilities offer something called respite care which allows seniors to enjoy a community of their choice for a short amount of time or as long as they like! They can test the home out and see what they have to offer (i.e amenities, activities, food options). Your loved one can get a good grasp of what it’s like to live without the commitment and you can too since visiting hours are everyday! Plus, it’s great if you go on vacation and need a safe place for your loved one to stay for a couple of days while receiving care and social activities.

Also, you can always turn to a senior advisor like ourself, for more information on the different assisted living facilities in your area as well as what they have to offer like amenities and different types of care. At North Star Senior Advisors, we can help match the perfect facility right for your loved one. There are several factors to take under consideration when searching for a community, so why do it alone? Even if you are not ready right away, or your loved one is not ready, it is good to know a course of action. We can guide you to the community and there’s no pressure to chose one right away! After we get a good understanding of your loved one’s care, interests, budget, and location, we can start touring the home with you. And we will be there to answer all your questions and even help you ask the questions you might know even know to ask!

Remember, searching for senior living does not have to be stressful or even a hassle. There are options available to you even if you are simply “shopping” around. Mom or dad might be in the stage where they need some assistance or they might be perfectly happy living at home, but either situation, help is out there! We pride ourselves in locating the perfect home for you based on what you’re interested in and respite is always an option as well if you are looking to test the waters. For more information on senior living communities and respite care near you, call a senior advisor today at (407) 796-1582.

-Savanna Chrostowski
Marketing Director