Moving your loved one into a senior living facility can make you feel a lot of guilt. You tried your best to provide care for them, but you were overextending yourself. It’s a healthier situation to hand over the care to professionals. We provide the ways to minimize your feelings of guilt:
Take Your Health into Consideration
Doing too much is bad for your health and it’s important to acknowledge this. Being the sole provider for your loved one can really take its toll on your health. Over Asserting yourself without enough rest can begin to weaken your immune system, leading to other health problems. Also, a loved one can become immobile forcing you to move them. This can be incredibly taxing on your body, which can cause injuries. When your loved one is under the care of professionals, it’s safer for them and you.
Find the Best Place for Them
Research the best senior living communities for your loved one. Take time looking in their area, so you can get a better idea of what options are available. When you visit spend time talking to the staff and people living there to get a feel for the place. It will make you feel more comfortable to know the people that your loved one will be surrounded by. Also, making sure that the staff is well-qualified. Taking all of these things into consideration will make you more confident in making the right decision for your loved one.
Talk to Someone
If the situation of no longer being your loved one’s caregiver is making you feel guilt and anxiety then find someone to talk to. This feeling can negatively impact your life and it’s better to find a good therapist to help with it. Sharing your feelings and emotions with someone can help you work through them. Therapist are trained to help you deal with your guilt and anxiety.
Create a Safe Space for Them
Living in senior living will take some time to get used to because it’s not their home. Although, there are ways to make it feel more like home for them. Making your loved one feel comfortable is top priority. Help them design a space that makes them feel good by adding decorations and family photographs, making the space feel more like theirs. You can make it a fun project to work on together, providing an easier transition for them. Also, it will create a good start for them in their new living situation.
See Them Frequently
Don’t stop seeing your parent just because they’re in senior living now. You should still visit them as much as you want. Make it an enjoyable time together by going to lunch or seeing a movie. If the community is close by try visiting them once a week. Reassure your loved one that just because they’re moving you’re not going to see them any less.
Accept that you did your best for your parent. Sometimes life can be too much to handle and it’s okay to hand the job over to someone more skilled. Finding your parent the best senior living community can improve both of your lives.
The Victorian Assisted Living and Retirement Community
The Victorian is an assisted living and retirement community that makes living independently, while at the same time feeling safe and secure, a reality. We strive to provide the best quality of life for all residents including those suffering from loneliness and depression.
We offer a comprehensive activity program that includes both physical and social activities to encourage emotional well-being. Our staff is trained to assist those with depression. If you or a loved one are considering assisted living, contact The Victorian today to learn more about our services or tour our community.