Coping with Guilt about a Parent’s Move to Assisted Living.
If you are feeling guilty about moving an aging parent to assisted living, these tips can help you find peace, cope, and feel confident about your decision.
Caregiving for a senior parent is a rewarding but demanding role, and coping with a decision to move a parent into Assisted Living is not easy. It isn’t uncommon for family caregivers to take this role on while also raising their own families and working outside the home. It is a juggling act that is understandably difficult for many people to manage.
As an aging parent’s need for support and care increases, families often turn to an assisted living community for help. Sometimes it is for a short-term respite stay so the family caregiver can take a break, and other times it is for a long-term move.
While adult children usually recognize this transition will allow a parent to live their best quality of life, they often feel bad about not being able to provide the care themselves. It can be tough for loved ones to accept this move and cope with their feelings of guilt.
4 Ways to Overcome Family Caregiver Guilt
If you find yourself in this situation, we have a few ideas to help:
1. Replace guilt with something positive:
When you find doubt and guilt over your loved one’s upcoming move creeping in, force yourself to do something productive. Take a quick walk around the neighborhood while listening to some positive, uplifting music. Pull out your yoga mat and spend 15 minutes meditating. If you aren’t familiar with this practice, sites like Gaiam can help you get started. By replacing guilt with something positive, you can train your mind to accept that you are doing what you believe to be the right thing.
2. Learn more about assisted living:
Before you start the search for an assisted living community, educate yourself on all of the benefits this type of senior care provides to residents. From life enrichment activities to improved nutrition, where you live as you grow older is important and assisted living is typically a beneficial solution.
3. Connect with a support group:
Talking with people who understand your situation can help you process and overcome the guilt that you are feeling. Many adult children find an online support group the easiest option for busy family members. You can join the conversation in chat rooms at your convenience from the comfort and privacy of your own home. The Family Caregiver Alliance is a good resource for finding a group.
4. Find an experienced senior care advisor:
When you feel confident that you are making an informed decision for an aging parent, you will likely see your guilt diminish. This is where a dedicated, experienced senior care advisor can be of assistance. Arrow Senior Care, for example, serves seniors who live in Southern California. We help families explore the options available in their desired area and determine which one is the best fit. In a market like Orange County, where there are so many assisted living communities, having the support of an expert can make all the difference. We hope these tips help you overcome your feelings of guilt and make a decision that will allow your parent to live his or her best life for many years to come! Click below to find out how it works, or schedule a FREE phone consultation with our trusted Senior Care Advisors today!
