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Mom, It’s Time for Assisted Living

Corrine and her mom, Irene, always had a wonderful mother-daughter relationship. But as Corrine got busier at work and Irene started needing help with daily living, things started to change.

Coping with Caregiving Challenges

Corrine’s world started shrinking as her mom started needing help: Wake up, go to work, check in on Mom, run errands, go home, sleep, repeat. Then she started dealing with some health challenges of her own. Trying to get to her and her mom’s doctor appointments was taking its toll.

“I was unable to continue to provide the level of care that my mom required,” Corrine says. “I found myself unable to be there every time she called or needed something.”

But she sure tried. Instead of getting together with friends, Corrine would bring dinner over to her mom’s condo. Instead of going on vacation, Corrine wouldn’t leave town for extended periods of time because she was worried about what could happen to Mom. And even though she was doing the best that she could, Corrine still felt guilty when she couldn’t be there every time Wood called.

“I was exhausted all of the time and began to really felt myself burning out,” she says. “I was unable to really cope and needed to make a change.”

Exploring Assisted Living Options

Corrine’s grandmother had lived at The Arbors at Amherst and had a wonderful experience, so when she began the search for the right assisted living community for her mom, she knew right where to go.

“I went first and met with Karen [Walters-Zucco, Executive Director and Director of Marketing] and toured the community again with a different lens,” Corrine says. “I asked all of my questions, of which I had numerous what, how, when, what happens if, and felt incredibly comfortable with all of the answers. I knew that my mom would feel very comfortable in that community — that it was a community that was representative of who my mom is.”

The next step was talking to her mom.

Having “The Talk”

Corrine and her mom have always had an open and honest relationship, but “this was truly unchartered territory for me,” she says. At the same time, she knew she could not continue providing daily care for her mom.

Earlier in the week, an in-home paid caregiver had not shown up for her shift and left Irene stranded and alone with no one to assist her. Panicked, Irene had called her daughter at work and asked her to come care for her. Corrine used this experience as her way into the conversation.

“I went over to see my mom in her condo and just began the conversation about her care needs and all of the problems and issues that she has had just in the past week,” Corrine recalls. “Although the conversation was difficult, I feel it was easier because my mom only suffers from mild cognitive impairment. I was able to rationalize with my mom and really talk about all of the issues and how they would be taken care of at The Arbors.”

Corrine talked about how her grandma had loved The Arbors, how her mom would love the activities — manicures, singalongs with preschoolers, coffee and trivia — and how they could go back to be mother and daughter again.

“I did the tour first for a reason,” Corrine says. “Knowing my mom, who she is and what is important to her, I was able to ask all of those questions so that Mom was able to have those important pieces up front and center. It helped her immediately feel at ease and open to the process.”

Now it was Irene’s turn to tour The Arbors.

Seeing It for Herself

“I wanted her to be able to spend time at The Arbors so she could then actually see herself living there,” Corrine says. “I needed her to see for herself how she felt about fitting into the milieu.”

In addition to exploring the community, Irene asked lots of questions. After touring and meeting with Walters-Zucco, Irene came to the same conclusion her daughter had a week before.

“She realized that she needed to be in assisted living and that trying to stay in her condo was just not feasible and certainly not a good quality of life for her.”

Talking to your aging parent about moving to an assisted living community isn’t easy, but like Irene, your parent will be happier in the long run if they’re involved in the decision-making process. For more tips about how to have “The Talk” with your parent, download our eBook Having “The Talk” With Your Parent: It’s Time for Assisted Living.

La Ventoline est utilisée pour traiter l’asthme, les maladies pulmonaires chroniques ou l’obstruction des voies respiratoires chez certaines personnes. Son ingrédient actif est l’albutérol.

 

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Assisted living can be a touchy subject. No matter how you approach it, your parent is likely to have objections to something.

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-How to Choose the Right Assisted Living Community: What You Need to Know Before You Begin Your SearchHave you decided that assisted living is the best option for your elderly parent, and now are feeling overwhelmed on how to begin your search for the right community?

This guide will go over what you need to know before you make a decision.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Assisted Living Costs and AffordabilityAre you considering assisted living for yourself or a loved one but are hesitant about the cost? Assisted living costs, services and amenities vary greatly among the last and most expensive communities, and costs are higher in some states than others.

This guide will answer questions you may have about the costs of assisted living and recommend resources to help you pay for it.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Having “The Talk” With Your Parent: It’s Time for Assisted Living
Talking to your aging parent about moving to an assisted living community isn’t easy.

Often, many adult children avoid bringing it up because it can be a sensitive topic.

This guide will provide you with helpful tips and insight on how to have a productive conversation with your parent and siblings regarding your parent’s future.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

Instant Access to Free Guide

 

The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-The Challenges of Aging: How to Handle Your Aging Parent’s Difficult BehaviorsDifficult behaviors in elderly adults are very common. They may be an expression of frustration your loved one feels or a symptom of early stages of dementia or Alzheimer’s.

This guide will provide you with skills and knowledge on how to handle difficult behaviors your aging parent may be experiencing.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

Instant Access to Free Guide

 

The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Becoming a Family Caregiver: What You Need to Know Before Deciding to Take Care of a Loved One
Becoming a family caregiver can be a rewarding experience. It also has its challenges.

There are many questions to answer before making the decision to take care of a loved one.

This guide will provide answers to questions you may have on this topic.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

Instant Access to Free Guide

 

The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Helping Your Parent Manage DepressionIs your parent or loved one depressed, or just in a bad mood?

What does medication and illness have to do with depression?

How can you help? In this guide, you will be provided with answers to the difficult questions you may have about depression.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Is It Depression? A Guide to Identifying and Addressing Depression in Aging AdultsHas your aging parent recently lost interest in activities they used to enjoy? Have you noticed a change in their mood and behavior?

This guide will provide you with resources and tools on how to identify depression, what are the common causes of depression, and how to promote mental health in your aging loved one.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Assisted Living Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Does your loved one need more support than what they are getting? Would they benefit from some assistance with daily activities?

In this guide, you’ll find answers to the most common questions asked about assisted living.


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-Why We Chose the Arbors Assisted Living and Memory Care: A Collection of Stories from Residents Living at The ArborsWhere do you start searching for assisted living or memory care communities?

What qualities in a community should you look for? How do you know you made the right decision?


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The Arbors Assisted Living-Guide-7 Warning Signs It’s Time to Make the Move to Assisted Living
Has your dad stopped getting together for lunches or outings with friends or visits with neighbors? Have you stopped enjoying time with your parents because you’re a caregiver?

Choosing an assisted living community is a big decision. Learn how to find the right one for you and your loved one.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-Getting Your Affairs in Order
No one ever plans to be sick or disabled, and disasters, man-made or natural, can happen at any time, anywhere.

Yet older adults are among the most vulnerable during a crisis. That’s why it’s critical that seniors, and those who care for them, prepare for emergencies.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-Guide to Making the Move to Assisted Living
Moving to assisted living is a life-changing event.

This guide provides tips and ideas on downsizing, what to pack and how to make the transition smooth for your senior parent.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

Instant Access to Free Guide

 

Guide-Solutions to Common Caregiving ChallengesIn this eBook, you’ll learn how to talk with family and friends about caregiving challenges, how to deal with a parent who is resistant to help, how to get more caregiving help from your siblings, and how to keep your job while caregiving.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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How Moving My Loved One to The Arbors Eliminated My Caregiving ChallengesHave you had to cut back your hours at work to care for your mom? Are you worried about administering medications or injections?

Have you stopped getting together with friends, either because you don’t have the time or you’re too exhausted? Are you becoming the invisible second patient?


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-When is the Right Time for Memory Care?In this guide, you’ll learn about the difference between Alzheimer’s and dementia, including the early symptoms of dementia; the seven stages of dementia and the symptoms that typically accompany each one; and the signs it’s time to start exploring your memory care options.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

Instant Access to Free Guide

 

Guide-What to Look for in a Memory Care CommunityIn this guide, you’ll learn about the difference between assisted living and memory care, how healthcare professionals are trained in dementia care, common features of a memory care community, and questions you should ask when exploring your memory care options.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-Brothers and Sisters
Navigating adult sibling relationships can be a challenge, but coming together for the sake of your parent is important.

In this guide, you’ll learn about common sibling conflicts that arise when caring for parents, strategies for getting siblings on board, and where to turn to for help.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

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Guide-The StandoffAssisted living can be a touchy subject. No matter how you approach it, your parent is likely to have objections to something.

As you help them transition to a new stage of life, it helps to be prepared with answers to their questions and concerns.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

Instant Access to Free Guide

 

Guide-11 Most Common Caregiving Challenges
A Guide to the Most Common Family Caregiver Challenges Associated with Caring for an Aging Parent.

You’ll learn about the true costs of being a family caregiver, common family conflicts that can occur when caring for parents, and some of the unexpected challenges of caregiving.


NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

Instant Access to Free Guide

 

Guide-Checklist_ Questions to Ask When Touring an Assisted Living Community
This checklist will help to make sure you are getting the most out of your visit to The Arbors.

The list details what important questions to ask during your visit so you are able to make an enlightened choice and find the best assisted living community for your needs.

NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

Instant Access to Free Guide

 

Guide-What is Assisted Living Really LikeIf you’re unsure what Assisted Living looks like in real life, whether there is a difference with nursing homes or a desire to see how community life unfolds, then this guide is exactly what you need.

A guide to discover the Care Team and a Typical Day in Assisted Living.

NOTE: Your privacy is important to us. We’ll never share your details nor spam your inbox.

Instant Access to Free Cost Comparison guide

You’re probably wondering how much the different senior living options compare to your current situation.
If you do, then this guide is exactly what you need.


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