Are You Considering An Assisted Living Facility For Your Elderly Mother?

8 May 2020

Have you and your siblings come to a mutual decision that your elderly mother would be happier and safer in an assisted living environment? Maybe she has been living by herself and you are not convinced that she is safe to do that, anymore. It might even be that you and your siblings have considered having your elderly mother live in one of your homes. However, maybe you all work outside of the home, which would leave your mother by herself for too long a time. 

No matter the scenario, if you are considering an assisted living facility for your elderly mother or other elderly parent, there are things to consider. Read on for some ideas that might help you.

Memory Care Professionals - One of the best parts about your mother living in a memory care facility is that she will be cared for by trained professionals. Whether it's the medical staff or the activity director, your mother's best interest will be of utmost importance.

• The medical staff will have the experience and the knowledge to work with individuals who have dementia or impaired cognition.
• Your mother will have twenty-four-hour supervision every single day of the year.
• If needed, workers will help your mother with things like dressing and personal grooming.
• Your mother will be treated with dignity at all times.
• The environment will be as home-like as possible, including a lovely living room and dining room.
• If your mother enjoys time spent outside, that will more than likely be available to her.

What You Can Do To Help - Even if your mother doesn't live with you or with one of your siblings, you can still be a big part of her life.

• Bring things from home that will make her room, or her side of a shared room, seem more like home.
• If you feel more comfortable doing your mother's laundry at home, of course, that can be arranged.
• If you and your siblings have very busy lives, set up a schedule so that she will be visited many times during the week.
• Think about asking your mother's friends and your friends to pay her a visit as often as they can.
• One simple thing you can do is to keep a large jar of wonderful treats in your mother's room.
• Put a sign next to the jar that says, ​Please help yourself!. That might mean that workers will pop in to say hello often. 

Be sure to voice concerns to the director of the memory care facility. Also, give more than one number for somebody to reach you or your siblings when there are concerns or questions, and, of course, in case of an emergency.

For more information, reach out to a memory care facility near you.