There may come a time when one of your parents needs advanced nursing care while the other is still capable of independent living. In this scenario, it’s important to help them assess their options. This can be based on their financial situation, their independent needs, and their personal preferences. Rainbow Counseling can help you and your loved ones traverse this sometimes difficult time of life in an open and loving way.
Downsizing Options
When one parent needs a level of care the other doesn’t, there are a couple of different approaches to consider. They can continue living in their own home together, with the assistance of supplemental nursing care, or they could move in with you or another loved one. Alternatively, the more able parent could downsize to a more manageable home, while the parent with the advanced needs moves into assisted living. A third option is a tiered facility that offers living accommodations for both needs – independent living and skilled nursing, all in the same facility. While this is the more expensive option, it allows your parents to stay together while ensuring their health and wellbeing.
Assisted Living
There are a variety of different options available when it comes to assisted nursing care or assisted living facilities. Some facilities specialize and may cater to veterans, or those who need memory care or rehabilitation following surgery or illness. Research the various facilities in your loved one’s price range to ensure you find a location that offers the best fit in terms of their health needs. According to A Place for Mom, you may need to tour a number of facilities to find one that feels like a match. You’ll also want to ask about the caregiver-to-patient ratio, socialization opportunities, and the potential for increasing levels of care as your loved one ages.
Smaller Home
Of course, if one parent needs to go into assisted living, the other will likely want to be nearby. According to Senior Living, look for low-maintenance housing options like a condo, townhouse, or apartment that fits their needs. Professional movers can be a great help when it comes to downsizing and relocation. Your loved ones may opt to sell, donate, or even store furniture and personal belongings, or have them transported to a new home or residential facility. Look for local movers who have top-ranked reviews to ensure you find a reputable company. You’ll want to ask for an in-home evaluation and a written estimate before choosing a service provider.
Funding Their Needs
While some people have excellent long-term care insurance, savings, or the ability to get some degree of funding through Medicaid or Medicare, many older adults face financial struggles when it comes to funding their later years. If this is the case, you may need to help your parents free up some cash to help with relocation or assisted living costs. Sometimes selling the family home is the best option. They can calculate their home equity by subtracting the amount of money still owed on the mortgage from the current market value. This will give them an idea of how much money there is to work with when making long-term care and housing decisions.
It can be very difficult for older loved ones to face the fact that they can no longer live completely independently or care for one another without assistance. Exercise compassion, and consider looking at counseling options to help your loved ones cope with these big life changes. Offer support, listen to concerns, and do all you can to make the transition as low-stress and anxiety-free as possible. Remind your loved ones that your objective is to ensure they are safe, well-cared for, and happy.
Rainbow Counseling uses techniques including mindfulness, differentiation, and socio-cultural-based therapies to create a holistic approach to treatment that empowers clients to build self-acceptance and emotional resilience. Reach out today for an in-person or online appointment.
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