Something needs to be done with mom. She can’t live on her own anymore. Maybe assisted living is the answer.
Has your world revolved around those statements these past few weeks? Many adult children find themselves in that place where a decision about what to do with mom becomes front and center in your life. And an assisted living facility (ALF) seems like a good choice. Many ALFs are popping up all over town; they appear to be the right choice for so many.
Many adult children say yes to ALFs. And they do so with the right intentions. Assisted living facilities seem to offer:
- A safe place to live
- Lots of companionship
- Less worry for you
That’s win/win, right? Well …
For many adult children who move mom into an ALF, that’s when the real problems begin. Because that’s when you start realizing your assumptions about the place are way off base.
You thought it was a safe place for her to live. But safety is relative. Sure, she might not have a smaller space to navigate, and have a helping hand only a press of a button away. But you’ll quickly find the safety features are limited at best. And if you want something, you’ll pay. And pay and pay – most things are “extras” on their ever-growing a la carte list.
You may have figured mom would be happier with a group of people her own age. But she doesn’t know the people near her. They tend to stay to themselves, locked up tight in their rooms. Some of them have medical conditions that prevent them from taking an active role and getting to know their neighbors. Mom may become lonelier than she was before.
You thought you’d worry less with her in a safe place. Now you worry more. Is she getting the proper care? How much more will you have to pay to get the level of care you desire? Will your mom be forced out as her chronic illness progresses? How long can this go on?
ALFs … they aren’t all they are cracked up to be. In fact, as in home caregivers, we continue with a lot of our patients as their adult children move them from their homes into an assisted living facility. Why?
Because in home caregiving is personalized service. It’s one on one care – something you’ll never get in an ALF.
For a lot of adult children, they discover there is a better way than putting mom into assisted living. In home care allows your mom to stay in the comfort of her home and get the care she needs in a personalized way.
And you can do that easier than you think.
For many, they sell mom’s home to afford assisted living. But what if you could pay for care while mom still lives at home? It’s called a reverse mortgage. For many families, it’s the best of both worlds. It allows mom the care she deserves. It allows you to have peace of mind knowing she’s safe and out of harm’s way.
At this critical point in your family’s lives, it’s essential to gather all the information you need before you make your final choice. If you want a second opinion or to learn from our years of experience in the caregiving industry, give us a call. We’re here for you and your family.