Your beloved parents need help. Your mom may have difficulty getting dressed or cooking or putting her hair up. They may forget to take their medication or take too much. Your dad may call you because he can’t find his keys.
What can you do to help your parents?
As a diligent child, you’ve researched all the options and determined Assisted Living preserves your parents’ independence while giving them the help they need. The question is when to bring the issue up. Surely, the holidays are not a good time to introduce your parents to Assisted Living. Surely, they are!
4 Reasons to Introduce Your Parents to Assisted Living During The Holidays
- Assisted Living communities go all out decorating, and so do residents. Not only will you see Christmas trees, wreaths, lights, and other decorations in the public areas, residents will have wreaths and ornaments decorating their doors.
For example, at The Arbors Assisted Living Residential Communities’ eight Massachusetts locations, all the public areas are decorated with signs of the season. Most residents have their apartments decorated. Lights twinkle on the buildings’ exteriors.
- Most Assisted Living communities offer special holiday events, including dinners, holiday entertainment, and holiday-themed programs. Although these events are designed for residents and their families, you can ask to schedule a tour during a special event so your parent may participate.
At The Arbors, each community celebrates the holidays in its own way, but all include a big Christmas dinner for residents and their families.
- Respite care is available at any time for people to “test the waters” of Assisted Living. Visitors receive the same care as residents, including nutritious meals, help with daily living activities, fun programs, personal services, and entertainment. The holidays may be an excellent time for your parents to “vacation” without you worrying about their health.
- The family is together during the holidays, so you can form an opinion and make a decision together during this time. You and your parents can meet the staff and other residents at the community. If it’s a family decision, the staff can speak to the entire family and answer their questions.