The professionals at Baldwin House Senior Living understand that when it comes to making a decision to move an aging loved into a senior living community, it’s not an easy one to make. We have put together a list of how to address ‘caregiver guilt’ and why moving into a Baldwin House community in Michigan offers peace of mind for the entire family.
As the child of an aging parent or a family member of a loved one who can no longer care for themselves, broaching the subject of moving into a senior living community is not an easy conversation to have. “Where will Mom and Dad live when they can no longer live at home?” is a question you may face in your lifetime, and we know it’s not easy. What we do know is that making a move into a Baldwin House Senior Living community gives your loved one access to:
- Healthy meals in some of our communities.
- A safe environment to live in.
- A maintenance-free lifestyle.
- Social interaction and a way to alleviate loneliness.
How To Address ‘Caregiver Guilt’
Whether you’re looking for a place to live for you or a loved one, we offer a range of communities that are ideal for active adults who can live independently and require no services to communities that provide higher levels of care.
Whenever possible, we urge families to have conversations with the loved one who will be making the move. Involve your aging parents or spouse in the research and in visiting various communities before any final decision is made. You may be able to alleviate some of the symptoms of relocation stress when your loved one is involved in their new living arrangements. Also, when you’re not making unilateral decisions on behalf of an aging parent, you can help eliminate the effects of caregiver guilt that can arise when you simply announce to Mom and Dad, “We can no longer care for you in your home and it’s not safe for you to live alone… so we’ve chosen a new community for you.”
What are some of the reasons your family may think it’s time for Mom and Dad to consider different living arrangements?
They may do things like:
- Forget to eat meals or leave the stove on after having prepared a meal.
- Become forgetful about simple tasks.
- Be unable to perform, or forget to perform personal hygiene.
- Live in a home that has trip or fall hazards.
- Become a danger to themselves or others.
The best time to visit a senior living community is before the need arises. No one wants to decide to move a loved one out of their family home and into a new apartment when they’re under pressure to make a quick decision.
When you’re faced with moving a spouse or an aging loved one into a senior living community, they will feel a sense of loss and maybe even betrayal, and that can lead to your suffering from “nursing home guilt.” It’s not unheard of to feel this way, but when your loved one is involved in the decision-making, and when they know you’re weighing their safety and security and that you’re doing your very best for them, that makes a smoother transition for all concerned.
Visit a Baldwin House Senior Living community near you and ask what activities we have planned for our residents. Baldwin House Senior Living is built upon the strong foundation of guiding families and empowering seniors.
Baldwin House combines care with compassion and dignity. We offer families peace of mind and give seniors who call Baldwin House home the freedom to live their very best lives. Call us today to schedule a visit. We’d love to meet you or your loved one!