How to Put a Parent in Assisted Living
Moving a parent into an assisted living facility is a difficult decision. It not only can be hard on the parent, but it is often hard on the children as well. When putting a parent into assisted living becomes a necessity and the parent is no longer able to care for him- or herself, there are a few things that need to be done to make the transition smooth.
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Instructions
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Talk to the parent. Parents are adults that can make decisions and should be talked to first. Talk about the reasons for concern or why assisted living might be the best option for the parent's needs. Parents will often argue and need persuading before they are ready to move to an assisted living facility.
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Talk to family members and close family friends. Moving a parent to an assisted living facility is a matter for the entire family. Other family members should be involved in the decision and help take care of the parent's needs. Discussions should cover everything from the power of attorney to visiting the parent in the facility.
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Prepare the parent beforehand. This can take the form of visits to the facility or having the parents help pick out the facility that best suits their wants and needs.
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Fill out the paperwork. Each facility will have different paperwork, but most will need permission to give medical aid and will require information about medical history and allergies. Other paperwork will vary on the facility and location.
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Prepare financially. Assisted living facilities can be very expensive, usually costing around $1,000 to $2,000 a month. Some facilities are more expensive than others. Many families will need to prepare financially beforehand to afford putting a parent into this type of facility.
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Wait until the parent is willing to go to the facility. Many parents are unwilling to go into an assisted living facility, finding it to be unnecessary or ignoring concerns. Parents will need time to accept the idea, and waiting until they've decided makes the transition to the facility easier on everyone involved.
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Tips & Warnings
Some assisted living facilities can cost more than $5,000 per month.
References
- Photo Credit nursing duties image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com
