You may decide how you structure your search because assisting a parent with the move to assisted living is such a personal adventure. Sometimes it's best to involve your loved one in all decisions, but other times it may be preferable to make more significant decisions on your own and limit their options.

Although there is no right or wrong approach, there are advantages and disadvantages to take into account. Here are a few things to consider as you try to make a wise decision.

Visiting an assisted living facility with a parent: advantages and disadvantages

Physical Ability

Pro:

Including your parent on your tour of assisted living facilities might be a smart option if they have physical limitations or restricted mobility. It may make or break the experience, depending on how well they get along in the neighborhood.

You can be confident that their time as a resident will be beneficial if they can move around the neighborhood with ease and comfort. It will be simpler to eliminate that choice if people have trouble getting around the town, whether it's because of subpar amenities or environmental reasons.

Con:

Taking your parent on a tour of more than one Indiana assisted care residence in a single day might be difficult if they have physical limitations or restricted mobility. It could wind up being more cost-effective to tour the communities on your own, and then bring your parents back to view only your top picks, depending on how far you have to go to see the ones you've chosen.

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Concern about decision making

Pro:

Is your parent capable of making wise choices, or can they often become paralyzed by too many options? Include your loved one in the process of exploring assisted living facilities if they are still emotionally and cognitively capable of making decisions.

They may feel more self-assured and autonomous if you give them more say in the process.

Con:

It can be in your parent's best interest to help decide for them instead if they have trouble making decisions, have just been diagnosed with Alzheimer's or dementia, or are anxious about change. For people who are anxious about change, moving into assisted living may be a stressful process. It's not essential to have a senior loved one participate more actively than they would like to complicate the experience.

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Struggling with the emotional aspects of moving

Pro:

It's crucial to have an understanding with your parent regarding assisted living. They are more likely to be able to manage the occasionally intense emotions that come along with moving into assisted living if they have previously decided that it is time to look into their choices.

Con:

Taking your parents on a tour might arouse unpleasant emotions in them if they have been experiencing emotional difficulty about the choice to move into assisted living. Take extra caution if they have been resistant to moving into assisted living since it can backfire on you if you take them on a tour of a place. It can be useful to independently explore a few possible towns to reduce your options. Once they have seen the top one or two, take your parents back.

Your best option

There is no correct strategy when it comes to visiting assisted care facilities. Nobody is likely to be more familiar with the demands of your elderly loved one. You should have faith that, no matter what choice you make, it will be the best one for your family.

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