When Mom Can No Longer Care for Dad, Assisted Living Is an Option to Consider

February 14, 2017 by ·

Assisted Living in Satsuma AL

Your mother’s having a difficult time helping your father get out of bed in the morning. She’s having trouble keeping up with cleaning, doing laundry, and providing all sorts of support for him throughout the day. While there are certainly options to consider, assisted living is one of the best.Assisted-Living-in-Satsuma-AL

Your father’s physical capabilities have been diminishing recently.

He’s getting older, his health is in decline, and he’s simply having trouble getting around without support. He has a number of friends who have already moved into a local assisted living community.

But you don’t even want to suggest this because it will separate your parents.

Many family members avoid the topic of assisted living because they have certain preconceived notions about it. They don’t want to even consider the prospect of having two parents separated because one can no longer provide the type of care and support the other one needs.

What you need to think about is long-term aspects of this situation.

Can your mother continue providing the type of support your father needs, not just in the next few weeks or a couple of months, but for the next few years? If she’s showing signs of extreme fatigue, pain, her own health issues, or even frustration and anxiety, it’s time to discuss other options.

What makes assisted living a viable option?

You may be concerned that your father would be offended by the mere notion of moving into one of these facilities, at least without your mother with him. While it’s certainly possible to have your mother and father move in together, that will probably increase the cost of them living in this facility.

However, there are many activities, many peers that probably share common interests with your father, and if your father and mother have been having a difficult time getting along lately because of the stress and anxiety of dealing with these health issues and physical limitations, this could be the answer they need to not just help their relationship, but also provide the type of support and care he needs at this point in his life.

It doesn’t have to be permanent; if your father agrees to try it out for a while, it could not only help him, but also help your mother and provide her some of the physical comfort she may need to take care of herself better and protect herself physically for the foreseeable future.

 

If you or an aging loved one are considering Assisted Living in Satsuma, AL, contact Ashbury Manor Specialty Care and Assisted Living at 251-317-3017.

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About Cindy Johnson

Ashbury Manor’s Administrator since 2008, Cindy Johnson is a long-time expert in the assisted living field. Prior to her arrival at Ashbury Manor, Cindy managed acquisitions and crisis management for existing and new larger senior care project developments for eleven years. As regional manager for an Oregon-based assisted living management company, Cindy was directly responsible for operations for five 50-65 bed assisted living facilities. As manager during the transition to new ownership, Cindy reorganized internal operations and conducted leadership training for Executive Directors. As a result of her management and expertise, one of the company’s facilities (in Ocala, Florida) received a deficiency-free survey, resulting in the lifting of a moratorium on operation.

A nurse for 36 years, senior care has always been Cindy’s passion. Desiring to work more closely with residents, Cindy became a Category II Administrator in 2005. As Ashbury Manor’s Administrator, Cindy understands the complexities associated with dementia and cognitive impairment and she has fallen in love with seniors with dementia or cognitive impairment and their families.

Cindy is Treasurer of the local “Senior Coalition” chapter. She enjoys mentoring new candidates who want to become administrators.

As a 16-bed facility, with Cindy's training and experience, our residents and their families can be sure Ashbury Manor’s carefully selected staff provides the expertise of a larger facility while maintaining the individualized personal care of a small special needs home.
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